Your Property in Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
Chapter 7 bankruptcy is called the liquidation bankruptcy for a reason -- you get to discharge most or all of your debts, and in return you give up property to repay your unsecured creditors. The reality, however, is that most Chapter 7 debtors give up little or no property. This is because state and federal law protects some of your property with "exemptions."
If you file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy or Chapter 13 bankruptcy, you get to keep your pension and retirement plan funds, with a few limitations. If you are considering bankruptcy, you should learn about these limits.
Keeping or losing your tax refund often depends on whether you receive it before or after filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Learn about tax refund options if you anticipate filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy.
If you have money set aside in a Health Savings Account (HSA) or Medical Savings Account (MSA) and file for Chapter 7 bankrup
If you file for Chapter 7, keeping a lawsuit settlement or award will depend on whether you can protect it with a bankruptcy exemption. Find out when you might lose the right to proceed or keep the proceeds.
What happens if you win the lottery around the same time that you file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy?
Whether you can keep your personal injury settlement award in Chapter 7 bankruptcy depends on state law. Learn how to find personal injury settlement exemptions and discover whether exemptions will let you keep a personal injury settlement after filing Chapter 7.
You can probably keep your checking account in Chapter 7 bankruptcy if you don't owe money to the bank. However, it's a lot more difficult to keep the funds in the checking account when filing for bankruptcy. Learn why you'll lose your money in bankruptcy if you can't protect it with a bankruptcy exemption.
If you have a lease or other contract with another party when you file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, the bankruptcy trustee can choose to terminate or to continue the lease or contract.
Empower Yourself: DIY Products by Nolo
Sidestep the lawyers with do-it-yourself books, documents, and software.
Nolo offers hundreds of consumer-friendly, do-it-yourself legal products for all types of legal situations. Browse our full product list.
More Legal Issues
Click below to view more legal issues. Our extensive collection of legal topics ranges across different areas of practice.
Corporations Car Accidents Criminal Law Debt Management Disability Law Divorce & Family Law
Learn About Our Team
Our editors have over 100 years of combined experience practicing law. These professionals have worked in a wide range of legal areas, from estate planning to criminal law to business formation and beyond. They’re experts at explaining complicated legal issues in easy-to-understand terms.
Learn more about the team that manages Nolo’s articles, books, and DIY tools.
Need a Lawyer? We Can Help
Find an experienced, local attorney in three easy steps. Our process is designed for ease and simplicity.
Describe Your Case
Briefly tell us about your case, and provide your contact information.
Get Connected
We find and instantly list attorneys that can best handle your case.
Hire an Attorney
Choose the attorneys you would like to work with.
Nolo Legal Dictionary
At Nolo, we prioritize quality and transparency because we know how important reliable legal information is to our readers. Our information is meticulously researched, regularly updated, and written in plain English by our experienced writers and editors. Learn more about our editorial standards.
Are You an Attorney?
Grow your firm with Martindale-Nolo, the largest legal network, and learn more about our attorney lead-generation and marketing services.
Integrity and Expertise You Can Rely On
At Nolo, we prioritize quality and transparency because we know how important reliable legal information is to our readers. Our information is meticulously researched, regularly updated, and written in plain English by our experienced writers and editors. Learn more about our editorial standards.
Copyright ©2025 MH Sub I, LLC dba Nolo ® Self-help services may not be permitted in all states. The information provided on this site is not legal advice, does not constitute a lawyer referral service, and no attorney-client or confidential relationship is or will be formed by use of the site. The attorney listings on this site are paid attorney advertising. In some states, the information on this website may be considered a lawyer referral service. Please reference the Terms of Use and the Supplemental Terms for specific information related to your state. Your use of this website constitutes acceptance of the Terms of Use, Supplemental Terms, Privacy Policy, Cookie Policy, and Consumer Health Data Notice.
Your Privacy Choices