Bankruptcy exemptions
What you keep when you file bankruptcy in Ohio
Exemptions are the laws that protect your property from the bankruptcy trustee. In Ohio they cover most of what an ordinary household owns: equity in a home, a car, household goods, and retirement savings.
As of November 1, 2026
Ohio exemption amounts
Homestead
Homestead exemption is $182,625 in one parcel of real property or personal property used as a residence. (Ohio Rev. Code § 2329.66(A)(1).)
Motor Vehicle
Up to $5,025 in one motor vehicle. (Ohio Rev. Code § 2329.66(A)(2).)
Wildcard (Any Property)
Up to $1,675 in any property of your choosing. (Ohio Rev. Code § 2329.66(A)(18).)
Tools of the Trade
Up to $3,200 in implements, books, and tools used in your trade, occupation, or business. (Ohio Rev. Code § 2329.66(A)(5).)
Personal Property
Up to $800 per item, $16,850 aggregate, in apparel, beds and bedding, cooking and refrigeration, and household goods (furnishings, appliances, books, animals, crops, musical instruments, firearms, hunting and fishing equipment); jewelry up to $2,125 aggregate; notary seal and official register; medically necessary health aids; $625 in cash or a bank account. (Ohio Rev. Code § 2329.66(A)(3), (4), (7), (15).)
Alimony/Support
Spousal support, child support, or other maintenance reasonably necessary for support. (Ohio Rev. Code § 2329.66(A)(11).)
Wages
Greater of 75% of disposable earnings or a multiple of the federal minimum wage that scales with pay frequency: 30× weekly, 60× biweekly, 65× semimonthly, or 130× monthly. (Ohio Rev. Code § 2329.66(A)(13).)
Retirement Accounts
Public employee pensions, qualified retirement plans, IRAs, and KEOGHs; tax-exempt and qualified retirement plans. The federal cap for certain accounts is $1,711,975 (April 1, 2025–March 31, 2028). (Ohio Rev. Code § 2329.66(A)(10), § 3309.66; 11 U.S.C. § 522(n).)
Insurance Benefits
Benevolent society, life, group, fraternal benefit society, and sickness/accident insurance. (Ohio Rev. Code § 2329.66(A)(6), § 2329.63, § 3911.10, § 3917.05, § 3921.18, § 3923.19.)
Unemployment Compensation
Exempt. (Ohio Rev. Code § 2329.66(A)(9)(c); § 4141.32.)
Workers' Compensation
Exempt. (Ohio Rev. Code § 2329.66(A)(9)(b); § 4123.67.)
Claims for Injury
Up to $31,650 for personal injury (not pain and suffering or pecuniary loss); wrongful death proceeds as needed for support. (Ohio Rev. Code § 2329.66(A)(12)(b), (c).)
Burial Funds
Exempt interest in one burial lot. (Ohio Rev. Code § 517.09, Ohio Rev. Code § 2329.66(A)(8).)
Public Assistance
Exempt. (Ohio Rev. Code § 2329.66(A)(9)(e); § 5108.08.)
Crime Victims Compensation
Compensation from the prior 12 months is exempt (except child support claims). (Ohio Rev. Code § 2743.66(D), Ohio Rev. Code § 2329.66(A)(12)(a).)
Partnership Property
Partnership interest exempt under state law. (Ohio Rev. Code § 1776.50; Ohio Rev. Code § 2329.66(A)(14).)
Tenancies by Entirety
Survivorship tenancies and entireties interests created under a prior statute remain valid and exempt. (Ohio Rev. Code § 5302.17, § 5302.21.)
529 Savings Plans
Exempt. (Ohio Rev. Code § 2329.66(A)(10)(c)(iv).)
Ohio Works First Cash Assistance
Exempt. (Ohio Rev. Code § 2329.66(A)(9)(d); § 5107.75.)
Earned Income Tax Credit/Child Tax Credit
Exempt. (Ohio Rev. Code § 2329.66(A)(9)(f).)
Vocational Rehabilitation Benefits
Exempt. (Ohio Rev. Code § 2329.66(A)(9)(a); § 3304.19.)
How exemptions work
The trustee can only take what isn't protected
When you file, everything you own becomes part of your bankruptcy estate. You then list the property you want to protect and the exemption that covers each item.
In Chapter 7, the trustee can sell property that isn't exempt and pay the money to your creditors. In practice, most people who file have nothing the trustee can sell.
In Chapter 13 you keep all of your property. Your plan has to pay unsecured creditors at least what they would have received if the non-exempt property had been sold in a Chapter 7.
Which exemptions apply to you
Ohio requires people who file here to use Ohio's exemptions, not the federal bankruptcy list. You generally need to have lived in Ohio for two years before filing to use them. If you moved here more recently, we'll check which state's exemptions apply.
Talk to us about your situationWhat Ohio protects
Common exemptions
Homestead
Your home
Equity in the home you live in, up to a set dollar amount per person. Spouses who own a home together and file jointly can each claim it.
Motor vehicle
Your car
Equity in a vehicle, up to a set amount. If you owe more on the loan than the car is worth, there's usually no equity at risk.
Household goods
Furniture and belongings
Furniture, appliances, clothing, and other household items, up to a set total value.
Retirement
Retirement savings
401(k)s, IRAs, pensions, and most other tax-qualified retirement savings are generally protected in full.
Tools of the trade
Work tools and equipment
Tools, books, and equipment you use to earn a living, up to a set amount.
Wildcard
Anything else
A smaller amount you can apply to any property, such as cash in the bank or a tax refund.
Income and benefits
Money that stays protected
Some kinds of income stay protected after you receive them, as long as the money can be traced back to its source. Keeping benefits in a separate account makes that easier.
Social Security benefits
Unemployment compensation
Workers' compensation
Child support and spousal support you receive
Public assistance
The earned income tax credit and child tax credit
Some personal injury and wrongful death awards
Before you file
Things that affect what you keep
Do the dollar amounts change?
Yes. Ohio adjusts its exemption amounts every three years. We check what you own against the current figures before we file.
What if my property is worth more than the exemption?
In Chapter 7 the trustee may sell it, pay you the exempt amount, and give the rest to your creditors. Often you can keep it by paying the trustee the non-exempt value instead, or by filing Chapter 13.
Can I move money around to protect it?
Not without talking to us first. Transferring property, or turning it into exempt assets shortly before filing, can be challenged and can cost you your discharge.
How is my property valued?
At its current value, meaning what it would sell for today, not what you paid. Used furniture and older cars are often worth less than people expect.
Find out what you can keep
We'll go through what you own at a free consultation and tell you which exemptions cover it.