Indiana Bankruptcy Exemptions

The Indiana bankruptcy exemptions chart, see below, details the property you can exempt or protect from creditors when you file bankruptcy in Indiana. You may exempt any property that falls into one of the exemptions categories below, up to the dollar amount listed. You will be able to kept this exempted property after you file bankruptcy. Please note that there are certain debts which you will not be able to erase in bankruptcy. (see Non-dischargeable Debts)

An exemption limit applies to any equity you have in the property. Equity is the difference between the value of the property and what is owed on the property. For example, a car valued at $5000 with a loan of $4500 has an equity value of only $500.

If the property is secured by a loan, such as a car or home, and you are current on the payments, the equity is covered by your exemptions, and you elect to keep making payments on the loan you generally can keep this property through the bankruptcy. If all the equity is not covered by your exemptions the trustee may elect to liquidate this asset and distribute the proceeds to your creditors.

Generally, in this case, you would be entitled to the value of your exemption in the asset as a cash payment.Bankruptcy law allows married couples filing jointly to each claim a full set of exemptions, unless otherwise noted.To keep non-exempt property, a debtor must generally pay the trustee the value of the non-exempt property.

When you file bankruptcy in Indiana you may also use certain federal exemptions in addition to your Indiana exemptions.

ASSET
EXEMPTION DESCRIPTION
LAW SECTION

HOMESTEAD

also see wild card
Real or personal property used as residence to homestead plus personal property—except health aids can’t exceed $15,000)
34-55-10-2(b)(1)

34-55-10-2(c)

Property held as tenancy by the entirety may be exempt against debts incurred by only one spouse
34-55-10-2(b)(5)

INSURANCE
Fraternal benefit society benefits
27-11-6-3

Group life insurance policy
27-1-12-29

Life insurance policy; proceeds, cash value or avails if beneficiary is insured’s spouse or dependent
27-1-12-14

Life insurance proceeds if clause prohibits proceeds to used to pay beneficiary’s creditors
27-2-5-1

Mutual life or accident proceeds
27-8-3-23

MISC.
Property of business partnership
23-4-1-25

PENSIONS
Firefighters
36-8-7-22, 36-8-8-17

Police officers (only benefits building up)
10-1-2-9, 36-8-8-17

Public employees
5-10.3-8-9

Public or private retirement benefits
34-2-28-1 (a)(6)

Sheriffs (only benefits building up)
36-8-10-19

State teachers
21-6.1-5-17

PERSONAL PROPERTY
also see wild card
Health aids
34-2-28-1 (a)(4)

$100 on any intangible personal property, except money owed to you
34-2-28-1 (a)(3)

PUBLIC BENEFITS
Crime victims’ compensation unless seeking to discharge debt for treatment of injury incurred during the crime
12-18-6-36

Unemployment compensation
22-4-33-3

Workers’ compensation
22-3-2-17

TOOLS OF TRADE
National guard uniforms, arms and equipment
10-2-6-3

WAGES
Minimum 75% of earned but unpaid wages; bankruptcy judge may authorize more for low-income debtors
24-4.5-5-105

WILD CARD
$8,000 of any real estate or tangible personal property
34-55-10-2(b)(2)