Home equity
Homestead
Unlimited
D.C. Code § 15-501(a)(14)
Verified Jun 29, 2026 · Next review by Jun 28, 2027
District of Columbia · Bankruptcy exemptions
District of Columbia Bankruptcy Exemptions
Unlimited
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.
Transportation
Motor vehicle
$2,575 motor vehicle exemption under current D.C. bankruptcy-exemption guidance.
D.C. Code § 15-501; current D.C. bankruptcy exemption guidance.
Verified Jul 3, 2026 · Next review by Jul 3, 2027
Other property
Wildcard and personal property
$850 wildcard; increased unused-homestead branch if the D.C. homestead exemption is not claimed.
D.C. Code § 15-501; current D.C. bankruptcy exemption guidance.
Verified Jul 3, 2026 · Next review by Jul 3, 2027
System choice
State or federal exemption system
District of Columbia permits eligible debtors to elect federal Sec. 522(d) exemptions; no opt-out applies.
11 U.S.C. Sec. 522(b)(2); D.C. has not enacted a Sec. 522(d) opt-out.
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 District of Columbia.
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.
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.