Filing for Bankruptcy in New Hampshire (NH)

This comprehensive guide explains New Hampshire bankruptcy exemptions, filing procedures, and how to protect essential property through Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy.

By , Attorney University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law
Updated 11/13/2025

New Hampshire bankruptcy exemptions let you keep essential property when you file Chapter 7 or Chapter 13, including homestead, vehicle, and a wildcard, subject to New Hampshire's rules. This guide explains New Hampshire bankruptcy exemptions, filing for bankruptcy in New Hampshire, and when Chapter 7 vs. Chapter 13 makes sense.

You'll learn what property is protected, how the means test affects eligibility, and what paperwork and deadlines to expect in New Hampshire courts. If you're weighing debt relief options, use this overview to decide whether to file, what you can keep, and how to prepare the right forms.

New Hampshire Bankruptcy Eligibility Requirements 2025

If you're struggling financially and aren't sure what to do, filing for bankruptcy in New Hampshire can provide a structured, lawful way to rebuild your finances. Economic changes are making it increasingly difficult for American families to weather job losses, illnesses, and other emergencies, leading to a rise in bankruptcy filings nationwide.

How to File for Bankruptcy in New Hampshire

These are the key steps to file for Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 in New Hampshire, and how to decide which chapter best fits your goals.

Chapter 7 "Liquidation" Bankruptcy Chapter 13 "Repayment Plan" Bankruptcy Citations

Duration to Discharge

 three to six months three to five years 11 U.S.C. § 727(a); § 1322(d)

Filing Fee

 $338 $313 28 U.S.C. § 1930; as of October 2025 (subject to change)

Potential Property Loss

 Yes. Nonexempt assets are sold for creditors. No. Filers pay the value of nonexempt assets through the plan and keep the property. 11 U.S.C. § 541, § 726, § 1322(b)(2)

Means Test Required

Yes. Income can't exceed limits; filers must not have disposable income to repay debts.

 No. However, filers must earn enough to pay the required Chapter 13 plan amount. 11 U.S.C. § 707(b); § 1325(b)

Debt Limits

 None Unsecured $526,700; secured $1,580,125

11 U.S.C. § 109(e); April 1, 2025 - March 31, 2028

Best For

 Lower income, limited assets.

Regular income, want to avoid property loss.

 11 U.S.C. § 101(10A); § 109(e)

Biggest Benefits

 Erases most debts quickly without requiring repayment.

Saves homes and cars by catching up on payments over time; can pay to keep property that would be lost in Chapter 7; can repay nondischargeable debts over time.

 11 U.S.C. § 362 (automatic stay)

Main Downsides

 Property not covered by exemptions is lost.

The repayment plan requires payment of all disposable income to creditors for years, with court oversight. Payment isn't always affordable.

 11 U.S.C. § 727(a); § 1307

Mortgage and Car Payments

 No catch-up for missed payments, risk of property loss to the lender. Can catch up on missed payments in the plan and keep a house, car, or other property serving as collateral. 11 U.S.C. § 1322(b)(5)

Nondischargeable Debts

Debts that aren't eliminated include child support, many taxes, and student loans. Debt will remain after bankruptcy.

 Nondischargeable debts are repaid in the plan. 11 U.S.C. § 523(a)

Previous Filings

 8 years after prior Ch. 7; 6 after Ch. 13

4 years after Ch. 7; 2 years after Ch. 13

 11 U.S.C. § 727(a)(8); § 1328(f)

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy in New Hampshire: Quick Debt Relief

If your primary goal is to erase debt fast, Chapter 7 bankruptcy is the best option. It eliminates unsecured debts, such as credit cards and medical bills, typically within a few months. However, you could lose property exceeding New Hampshire's exemption limits because the Chapter 7 trustee can sell that property to repay creditors.

Who Qualifies for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy in New Hampshire

The steps you'll need to take will depend on whether your income falls below or above your state's median income. The U.S. Trustee Program "Means Testing" page has current amounts.

Qualifying With Below-Median Income

If your gross yearly family income is below New Hampshire's median income for your family size, you qualify. For a filing between November 1, 2025, and May 14, 2026, you would be eligible at or below the following limits:

  • $85,049 for a one-person household
  • $106,521 for a two-person household
  • $137,902 for a three-person household, and
  • $151,224 for a four-person household.

Qualifying With Above-Median

If your gross family income is higher than the median, an additional "means test" calculation is necessary to determine your eligibility. This test lets you subtract expenses from your income and determines whether you have anything left to pay creditors.

Take the bankruptcy eligibility quiz. Find out about particular issues and whether you qualify by taking the Chapter 7 bankruptcy quiz.

Chapter 13 Bankruptcy in New Hampshire: Repayment Plans to Keep Your Home

Chapter 13 creates a repayment plan lasting three to five years. Most people pay a minimal amount toward debts they can discharge (erase).

Chapter 13 vs. Chapter 7 Bankruptcy in New Hampshire

Chapter 13 can help prevent foreclosure or repossession, allowing filers to keep assets like homes and cars while catching up on missed mortgage or vehicle payments. Because Chapter 7 doesn't have a repayment plan, most people lose their home or car if they file when they're behind.

Chapter 13 Income Requirements and Eligibility in New Hampshire

A fundamental requirement for Chapter 13 is having a regular income source to fund your repayment plan. Also, your total debt must fall within specific limits, which are updated periodically (check the chart above for current amounts).

Try the payment calculator. Estimate your Chapter 13 repayment plan in minutes using the Chapter 13 payment calculator.

New Hampshire Bankruptcy Exemptions: What You Can Keep

You keep assets protected by specific bankruptcy exemptions. In Chapter 7, nonexempt property is sold for the creditors. In Chapter 13, you can keep nonexempt property by paying its value in your repayment plan.

You can choose whether you use the state exemption list or the list of federal bankruptcy exemptions, but you can't mix and match exemptions from both sets. The federal bankruptcy exemption amounts below are valid until March 31, 2028.

Federal Exemptions vs. New Hampshire State Exemptions Table

Federal Exemptions New Hampshire Exemptions

Homestead or Residential Property
  • Every person is entitled to $120,000 in a homestead as exempt, including manufactured housing (but not land upon which manufactured housing is situated if land is not also owned). (N.H. Rev. Stat. §§ 480:1, 480:4.)
Motor Vehicles
  • $5,025. (11 U.S.C. § 522(d)(2).)
Personal Property and Wildcard
  • $16,850 aggregate value ($800 per item) in household furnishings, household goods, wearing apparel, appliances, books, animals, crops, or musical instruments.
  • $2,125 in jewelry.
  • $1,675 in any property, plus up to $15,800 of unused homestead exemption.
  • Professionally prescribed health aids. (11 U.S.C. §§ 522(d)(3),(4),(5),(9).)
  • Clothing and bedding
  • $3,500 in household furniture
  • a cooking stove, a heating stove, a refrigerator, a sewing machine
  • $400 in fuel and provisions
  • militia uniforms and arms
  • $800 in books
  • various livestock, and domestic fowl up to $300
  • a meeting-house pew
  • $500 in jewelry
  • debtor's interest in any property up to $1,000, plus up to $7,000 of certain unused aggregated personal property exemptions, and
  • a computer. (N.H. Rev. Stat. § 511:2.)
Trade Implements
  • $3,175. (11 U.S.C. § 522(d)(6).)
  • $5,000 in trade implements
  • a cow, yoke of oxen, or a horse when required for farming, and
  • hay not exceeding 4 tons. (N.H. Rev. Stat. § 511:2(IX) and (XII).)
Alimony, Support, Separate Maintenance
  • To the extent reasonably necessary for support. (11 U.S.C. § 522(d)(10)(D).)
  • N/A
Claims for Negligence or Tortious Conduct
  • Wrongful death payments to the extent reasonably necessary for support.
  • $31,575 for personal bodily injury (not including pain and suffering or pecuniary loss).
  • Loss of future earnings to the extent reasonably necessary for support.
  • (11 U.S.C. §§ 522(d)(11)(B),(C),(D),(E).)
  • N/A

Crime Victims' Compensation
  • Awards under crime victims' reparation laws. (11 U.S.C. § 522(d)(11)(A).)
  • N/A

Fraternal Benefit Society Benefits
  • N/A

Insurance Benefits
  • Unmatured life insurance contract (except credit life insurance).
  • $16,850 in accrued dividends, interest, or loan value of unmatured life insurance.
  • Life insurance proceeds for an insured of whom the debtor was a dependent, to the extent reasonably necessary for support. (11 U.S.C. §§ 522(d)(7),(8),(11)(B),(C).)

Pensions & Retirement Benefits
  • Stock bonus, pension, profit-sharing, annuity, or similar plan payments—to the extent reasonably necessary for support.
  • Tax-exempt and qualified retirement plans—federal cap for IRAs is $1,711,975. (11 U.S.C. §§ 522(d)(10)(E),(12), (n).)
  • Benefits under various employee retirement systems are exempt. (N.H. Rev. Stat. §§ 100–A:26, 100–A:26–a, 103:18, 103:18–6, 102:23 and 103.18.)
  • Tax-exempt and qualified retirement plans—federal cap for IRAs is $1,711,975. (11 U.S.C. §§ 522(d)(10)(E),(12), (n).)

Public Assistance
  • Social Security benefits.
  • Unemployment compensation.
  • Local public assistance benefits.
  • Veterans benefits.
  • Disability, illness, or unemployment benefits. (11 U.S.C. §§ 522(d)(10)(A),(B),(C).)
  • All exempt. (N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 167:25.)
  • Unemployment compensation is exempt if funds are not commingled unless debts are for necessaries furnished while the debtor was unemployed or for child support. (N.H. Rev. Stat. § 282A:159.)
  • Workers' compensation is exempt except for court-approved claims arising from a compensated injury and child support payments. (N.H. Rev. Stat. § 281–A:52.)

Wages
  • N/A
  • Debtor may exempt 50 times the federal minimum wage per week and all wages earned after service of trustee process; 40% of earnings exempt when the parent providing support does not support a second family. (N.H. Rev. Stat. §§ 161–C:11 and 512.21.)

Partnership Property
  • N/A
  • New Hampshire has enacted the Uniform Partnership Act provision exempting a partner's interest in specific partnership property. (N.H. Rev. Stat. § 304–A:25(II)(c).)

Tenancies by the Entirety
  • N/A
  • N/A

Filing for Bankruptcy in New Hampshire: 6-Step Process

When you first file, both the Chapter 13 and Chapter 7 processes are similar.

Complete Credit Counseling

Complete a U.S. Trustee-approved credit counseling course within 180 days before filing. Also, make sure you are prepared to file for bankruptcy by securing housing, transportation, and a bank account in good standing.

Assemble Financial Documents

Gather all financial documents you'll need to complete and file the bankruptcy forms, including pay stubs, tax returns, bank statements, and debt lists (we've highlighted what you'll need below).

File in the Correct New Hampshire District

File your forms with the New Hampshire Bankruptcy Court website. On the website, you'll find instructions for filing your paperwork, local rules, and more. Fees can be waived or paid in installments. Once you file, the automatic stay will go into effect. Almost all collection efforts, lawsuits, garnishments, and foreclosures stop when you file.

Attend the 341 Meeting of Creditors

Attend this mandatory court-supervised session. After the 341 meeting, all filers complete the second required U.S. Trustee-approved course, debtor education. Chapter 13 filers must also attend a plan confirmation (approval) hearing and complete the repayment plan.

Receive the Discharge

After fulfilling requirements, the court issues a discharge order that erases eligible debts.

After Filing for Bankruptcy in New Hampshire

After discharge, you'll want to maintain financial stability by reviewing your credit report and rebuilding credit. Maintaining emergency savings is another good way to avoid another bankruptcy.

Learn more details about bankruptcy and whether it's better to file for Chapter 7 or 13.

New Hampshire Bankruptcy FAQs 2025

Can I keep my car if I file for bankruptcy in New Hampshire?

You can keep a vehicle if your equity is within the exemption limit. If it's financed, you must be and stay current on payments in Chapter 7. You can catch up on missed payments and keep your car in Chapter 13.

Will I lose my house in bankruptcy in New Hampshire?

As long as your home equity is exempt and you stay current on payments, you should be able to keep your house in Chapter 7. If you're behind on payments, Chapter 13 allows you to catch up and keep your home. Learn which chapter to file to keep your house.

Can I file bankruptcy again if I've filed before?

Yes, but bankruptcy waiting periods apply. You must wait eight years between Chapter 7 filings. The time is reduced to six years if you choose to file for Chapter 13 after filing for Chapter 7.

How much does bankruptcy cost?

You'll pay filing fees, counseling and debtor education course fees, as well as attorney costs, which vary according to the bankruptcy chapter and case complexity. A Chapter 7 case typically costs between $1,800 and $3,500. You'll likely pay $3,500 to $5,000 for Chapter 13. Chapter 7 costs must be paid in full before filing. However, legal fees can be included in the Chapter 13 plan.

How long does bankruptcy stay on my credit report?

Chapter 7 remains on your credit report for up to 10 years. Chapter 13 stays on your credit report for seven years. However, the impact diminishes over time, and many people see credit improvement within a year or two.

How long does Chapter 7 take in New Hampshire?

Chapter 7 typically takes three to five months to complete. While you'll receive your discharge within that time, the case could remain open longer if the trustee needs to sell property or resolve litigation.

Can I file bankruptcy without a lawyer in New Hampshire?

Many people can file for bankruptcy without a lawyer if they're willing to do the proper research. Simple Chapter 7 cases tend to be the most successful—those with dischargeable debts and minimal assets. Bankruptcy courts advise against filing a Chapter 13 without a lawyer because Chapter 13 cases are complicated and rarely successful without a lawyer's help.

What debts can't be discharged in a New Hampshire bankruptcy

You won't be able to eliminate support obligations and most taxes. Student loans can be eliminated, but you must file a bankruptcy lawsuit and prove that paying the loans would be an "undue hardship." Learn more about nondischargeable debts in bankruptcy.

Did you know Nolo has made the law accessible for over fifty years? It's true, and we wholeheartedly encourage research and learning. However, online articles and resources can't address all bankruptcy issues and aren't written with the facts of your particular case in mind. The best way to protect your assets in bankruptcy is by hiring a local bankruptcy lawyer.

Want More Legal Info? Nolo Can Help

Explore related offerings for additional insights in this area of law. Whether it’s another article, a book, a form, or a connection to an attorney, we’ve got solutions for all situations.

The New Hampshire Homestead Exemption
The Connecticut Homestead Exemption
Filing for Bankruptcy in Rhode Island (RI)
The New Mexico Homestead Exemption
Filing for Bankruptcy in Georgia

Related Topics

Bankruptcy
New Hampshire Bankruptcy Information
Alabama Bankruptcy Information
Alaska Bankruptcy Information
Arizona Bankruptcy Information
Arkansas Bankruptcy Information
View all related topics >

DIY Legal Tools from Nolo

For over 50 years, Nolo’s team of experts has created top-rated legal books, forms, and software to help everyday people resolve their legal issues. Get practical legal information from lawyers for a fraction of the cost of hiring one.

How to File for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy

Book & eBook

How to File for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy

Chapter 13 Bankruptcy

Book & eBook

Chapter 13 Bankruptcy

View all related products >
Get Professional Help
Get debt relief now.
We've helped 205 clients find attorneys today.

What is your total debt?

Please select an answer
Continue

How It Works

  1. Briefly tell us about your case
  2. Provide your contact information
  3. Choose attorneys to contact you