Like all states, Florida has a set of exemptions you can use to protect some property when filing for bankruptcy, such as a home, car, and retirement account. In this article, you'll learn:
If you have more questions, read How Bankruptcy Works in Florida. Not only will you find answers, but it includes helpful checklists and a link to an interactive bankruptcy quiz. Or, try the start-to-finish "Filing for Bankruptcy" guide.
You can protect property covered by an exemption regardless of whether you file for Chapter 7 or 13. But each chapter treats nonexempt property—things not covered by an exemption—differently.
Also, spouses can double the exemption amount if they both own the property for all exemptions other than the homestead exemption. And you can use exemptions on the federal nonbankruptcy exemption list, as well as protect stimulus payments, tax credits, and child credits in bankruptcy with the federal COVID-19 recovery rebate exemption.
Although you can file for bankruptcy in Florida after living there for over 180 days (or the greater portion of 180 days before filing), you must live in Florida much longer before using Florida's exemptions. Specifically, you need to live in Florida for 730 days before filing the bankruptcy petition. Otherwise, you'd use the previous state's exemptions.
Suppose you weren't living in any one state during the two years before filing for bankruptcy. In that case, you'd use the exemptions of the state you lived in for most of the 180 days before the two-year period that immediately preceded your filing. (11 U.S.C. § 522(b)(3)(A).)
Learn more about who can and can't file for bankruptcy.
Florida has one of the most generous homestead exemptions in the country. You can exempt an unlimited amount of equity in your home or other property covered by the homestead exemption as long as the property isn't larger than half an acre in a municipality or 160 acres elsewhere.
Before claiming the homestead exemption in Florida, you must have owned the property for at least 1,215 days before the bankruptcy filing. If you can't meet this requirement, your homestead exemption is limited by federal law. (Fla. Stat. Ann. § 222.01-02)
Find out more about this requirement and the current amount of the federal cap, the homestead exemption, and protecting your home in bankruptcy.
The following categories of personal property (anything other than real estate) are exempt:
You can exempt up to $1,000 in motor vehicle equity. This amount increases if you're married and filing jointly. (Fla. Stat. Ann. § 222.25(1).) Learn more about the motor vehicle exemption and protecting cars in bankruptcy.
Wages of the head of the family are entirely exempt up to $750 per week, or the greater of 75% or 30 times the federal minimum wage. This applies to paid and unpaid wages, as well as wages deposited in a bank account during the last six months. (Fla. Stat. Ann. § 222.11.) Earnings of a person other than the head of the family are protected as follows: 75% or 30 times the federal minimum wage, whichever is greater.
Federal government employees' pension payments needed for support and were received up to three months before the bankruptcy are also exempt. (Fla. Stat. Ann. § 222.21.)
A debtor can claim up to $4,000 of personal property if the debtor doesn't use the homestead exemption. (Fla. Stat. Ann. § 222.25.) Find out about the wildcard exemption in bankruptcy.
The following types of pensions and retirement funds are exempt in Florida:
You can exempt the following public benefits:
Alimony and child support, to the extent reasonably necessary for the debtor's support (the bankruptcy filer) and any dependent of the debtor, are exempt. (Fla. Stat. Ann. § 222.201.)
You can exempt the following:
Damages (money) for an employee's injuries or death that occurred while working in a hazardous occupation are exempt. (Fla. Stat. Ann. § 769.05.) However, any other proceeds received from a lawsuit or pending legal claim belongs to the bankruptcy estate, and you'll have to use another exemption, such as the wildcard exemption, to protect the recovery.
Also, if you haven't resolved the lawsuit when you file for bankruptcy, the bankruptcy trustee can decide whether to retain an attorney and proceed on your behalf. The trustee will then decide whether to settle the case or proceed to trial.
Example. In your paperwork, you disclose the minor rear-end accident you were involved in six months before. Even though you weren't at fault, you didn't bother pursuing it because your injuries resolved quickly. The bankruptcy trustee has the option of pursuing the claim on your behalf against the driver at fault.
Find out more about the trustee taking control of your lawsuit and lawsuits you can't stop by filing for bankruptcy.
Above are some of the most commonly used exemptions in Florida. There could be other exemptions that apply to your situation. You'll want to ensure that you're declaring all of the exemptions you're entitled to by reviewing the Florida Statutes, the Florida Constitution, and the Bankruptcy Code. Or, talk to a local bankruptcy attorney.
Did you know Nolo has been making the law easy for over fifty years? It's true—and we want to make sure you find what you need. Below you'll find more articles that explain what bankruptcy is and how bankruptcy works. And don't forget that our bankruptcy homepage is the best place to start if you have other questions!
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We wholeheartedly encourage research and learning, but online articles can't address all bankruptcy issues or the facts of your case. The best way to protect your assets in bankruptcy is by hiring a local bankruptcy lawyer.
Updated March 15, 2022