If you file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Utah, the Utah bankruptcy exemptions can help you keep some or all of your property. If you file for Chapter 13 bankruptcy, the Utah bankruptcy exemptions may reduce the total amount you must pay your unsecured creditors. (Find out how bankruptcy exemptions work in both Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy.)
Below you can learn what property the Utah bankruptcy exemptions protect, whether you can use the federal exemptions in Utah, what happens to exemptions if you are married and filing jointly, and more.
Some states allow you to choose between using the state exemptions and a list of federal bankruptcy exemptions. In Utah, however, you do not have this choice; you must use the Utah bankruptcy exemptions.
Although you can't use the federal exemptions in Utah, you may use any of the federal non-bankruptcy exemptions. The federal non-bankruptcy exemptions protect property such as federal retirement accounts and veterans' benefits. You can use both the federal non-bankruptcy exemptions and the state exemptions; you don't have to choose between the two lists.
Unless otherwise stated, if you are married and filing a joint bankruptcy petition, you can double the amount of the Utah bankruptcy exemption if you both own the property. If only one spouse owns the property, then you cannot double the amount.
You must be a Utah resident for at least 730 days before filing the bankruptcy petition. If you weren't living in any one state during the two years before filing for bankruptcy, 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. Learn more about filing for bankruptcy after moving to a new state.
Below are some of the most commonly used bankruptcy exemptions. The statute citations, unless otherwise noted, are to the Utah Code.
In Utah, you can exempt up to $42,700 of the equity in any real estate if it's your primary residence, including your home, mobile home, or any water rights you have. You can exempt up to $5,100 in real estate that is not your primary residence. §78B-5-504 Learn more in The Utah Homestead Exemption.
In Utah, you can exempt the following types of personal property. §78B-5-505 and §78B-5-506
In Utah, you can exempt up to $3,000 of equity in a car, van, motorcycle, truck, SUV, or another motor vehicle. Learn more in The Utah Motor Vehicle Exemption.
Tax-exempt retirement accounts (including 401(k)s, 403(b)s, profit-sharing and money purchase plans, SEP and SIMPLE IRAs, and defined benefit plans). 11 U.S.C. § 522.
IRAS and Roth IRAs to $1,512,350 per person (valid for bankruptcy cases filed between April 1, 2022, and April 1, 2025) 11 U.S.C. § 522(b)(3)(C)(n); §15-41-30(A)(13)
Erisa-qualified benefits, IRAs, Roth IRA, if the benefits have accrued or the contributions were made at least one year before you filed for bankruptcy. §78B-5-505(1)(a)(xiv)
Public employees. §49-11-612
Crime victims' compensation. §63-25a-421(4)
General assistance. §35A-3-112
Occupational disease disability benefits. §34A-3-107
Unemployment compensation. §34A-3-103(4)(b)
Veteran's benefits. §78B-5-505(1)(a)(v)
Workers' compensation. §34A-2-422
Tools, books, and implements used in your trade or profession, up to $5,000. §78B-5-506(2)
Earnings to the lesser of (1) 75% of disposable income, or (2) 37 times the federal minimum wage per week. R. Civ. Proc., Rule 64D(a)
Unpaid earnings due as of the bankruptcy filing in an amount equal to 1/24 of the median Utah annual income if you are paid more than once per month and 1/12 if you are paid monthly. §78B-5-505(1)(a)(xvi)
Disability, illness, medical, surgical, or hospital benefits. §78B-5-505(1)(a)(iii) and (iv)
Fraternal benefit society benefits. §31A-9-603
Life insurance policy cash surrender value, but not payments you've made on policy within the year before filing. §78B-5-505(1)(a)(xiii)
Life insurance proceeds if the beneficiary is the insured's spouse or dependent and if the proceeds are needed for support. §78B-5-505(1)(a)(xi)
This list includes commonly used Utah bankruptcy exemptions, but others exist. Also, Utah periodically updates its exemption amounts and sometimes adds new exemptions. To find the most current laws, visit the Utah Code (exemptions appear in various parts of the code—see statutory citations above). Also, consider consulting with a Utah bankruptcy attorney to ensure that you're protecting all of your property properly.