California · Bankruptcy exemptions

California Bankruptcy Exemptions

Greater of county-median SFH (capped) or floor; base floor $300,000 / cap $600,000, both CPI-adjusted annually since 2022 (store as formula; current adjusted max is county-specific)

Four rules checked against governing sourcesSources checked through Jun 29, 2026Inspect the coverage gate

Answer first, sources attached

The four rules to check first

These are current source-linked reference points, not a conclusion about which exemptions apply to a particular filing.

Home equity

Homestead

Greater of county-median SFH (capped) or floor; base floor $300,000 / cap $600,000, both CPI-adjusted annually since 2022 (store as formula; current adjusted max is county-specific)

Cal. CCP 704.730 (Stats 2024 Ch 80, SB 1525, eff 2025-01-01)

Verified Jun 29, 2026 · Next review by Jan 1, 2027

Transportation

Motor vehicle

$8,625 motor vehicle exemption in both the California §704 state system and the §703.140 bankruptcy-only system.

Cal. CCP §§ 704.010, 703.140(b)(2); Judicial Council form EJ-156 (Rev. July 21, 2025)

Verified Jul 3, 2026 · Next review by Apr 1, 2028

Other property

Wildcard and personal property

California §703.140(b)(5) provides a $1,950 wildcard plus unused §703.140(b)(1) homestead allowance; the §704 state system has no general wildcard.

Cal. CCP § 703.140(b)(1), (b)(5); Cal. CCP § 704.010 et seq.; Judicial Council form EJ-156 (Rev. July 21, 2025)

Verified Jul 3, 2026 · Next review by Apr 1, 2028

System choice

State or federal exemption system

California has opted out of the federal §522(d) exemption scheme; debtors choose between California §704 state exemptions and the California bankruptcy-only §703.140 system.

Cal. CCP §§ 703.130, 703.140(a)

Verified Jul 3, 2026 · Next review by Jul 3, 2027

What changes the answer

The number is only the starting point

Petition date and domicileTiming can change the applicable state system and the operative amount.
Equity, liens, and ownershipThe protected interest is not simply the property’s market value.
Joint filing and doublingWhether spouses can combine an exemption depends on the rule and facts.
Federal limits and case lawFederal provisions, including 11 U.S.C. § 522(p), and controlling decisions can limit the result.

Organize home equity

Work through value, secured balances, selling costs, and an optional exemption reference.

View published income figures

See the current U.S. Trustee table by household size for California.

Find licensed help

Use public directories to find a lawyer who can apply the rules to a filing.

For bankruptcy attorneys

Put the rule into the matter, not another note

DocketBuddy carries source-linked exemption data into the client record, organizes the facts that affect the analysis, and leaves the legal decision with the attorney.

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This page reports source-linked state rules and review dates. It does not select an exemption system, determine eligibility, calculate protected equity, or apply law to an individual situation. Verify the cited authority and current law before relying on a figure.