California Bankruptcy Laws

Speak with a California Bankruptcy Attorney

If you reside in the state of California and are thinking of filing for bankruptcy a California bankruptcy attorney will go over all of your options.

Find out, with the help of a California bankruptcy attorney, whether filing Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy is right for you.

For a consultation with a local California bankruptcy attorney just fill out the form on this page.

Bankruptcy Law & California State Exemptions

In your initial consultation with your California bankruptcy attorney you will learn all of the important differences from Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy.

Within this consultation your bankruptcy attorney in California will ask you many personal finance questions or provide you with a profile sheet to list specific details regarding your finances.   The answers you provide should assist you and your attorney in deciding if filing Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy is appropriate for you.

Chapter 7 bankruptcy is usually called liquidation as the bankruptcy trustee may opt to sell or auction non-exempted property (see State Exemptions list below).

However, in the majority of Chapter 7 bankruptcy cases, the individual filing bankruptcy owns no non-exempt property, so this would not apply to the majority of filings. Provided you do not own much property or have many assets Chapter 7 bankruptcy may be the best choice since you would be allowed to discharge most of your unsecured debt.

Before filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy please discuss your situation with a California bankruptcy attorney to determine exactly how much property may be exempt from liquidation.

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California State Exemptions

Homestead

1. Up to $75,000 for family members living with other, non-owner family members.
2. Up to $150,000 for anyone 65-years-old or older, disabled, or 55-years-old or older with an annual gross income of less than $15,000 if single, $20,000 if married.
3. Up to $50,000 for anyone not covered by other statutes.

Wages

75 percent of all paid earnings.

Automobiles

Up to $2,300 of your equity in all vehicles.

Personal Property

1. All ordinary and necessary household furnishings, appliances, clothing provisions and personal property are exempt 100 percent.
2. Up to $6,075 for jewelry and heirlooms.
3. Up to $6,075 for tools used in your business or trade.

Chapter 13 Bankruptcy is often termed “reorganization”.  Individuals filing Chapter 13 may own more property and by filing Chapter 13 may also retain the majority of their assets.

In Chapter 13 bankruptcy, the debtor draws up a proposal for a repayment plan for a term of 3 to 5 years, which must be approved by a bankruptcy court.  This installment plan enables the debtor to repay outstanding bills.

Speak With a California Bankruptcy Attorney Today

If you have thought about filing bankruptcy in California you may not know where to begin or simply feel burdened by the state specific bankruptcy laws.

To resolve any questions about the bankruptcy laws, a California bankruptcy attorney will be able to walk you through the bankruptcy process in everyday terms.  When you consult a California bankruptcy attorney you will also be able to get many of your questions and concerns answered in the initial consultation.

We take the complexity out of finding a good California bankruptcy attorney.  Just complete our free bankruptcy questionnaire on this page and we will connect you with a California bankruptcy attorney in your area.

Note: This is not legal advice. All bankruptcy laws in any state need the consult of a bankruptcy attorney licensed in that state. Consult a local attorney if you are seeking legal advice. Some or all bankruptcy laws may have changed since this page was created.

California bankruptcy attorneys are available in the following localities:

A M O R C, ACAMPO, ACTON, ADIN, AETNA LIFE AND CASUALTY, AGOURA HILLS, AGUANGA, AHWAHNEE, ALAMO, ALBION, ALHAMBRA, ALISO VIEJO, ALLEGHANY, ALPINE, ALTA, ALTADENA, ALTAVILLE, ALVISO, AMADOR CITY, AMERICAN CANYON, ANAHEIM, ANDERSON, ANGELS CAMP, ANGWIN, ANNAPOLIS, ANTELOPE, ANTIOCH, ANZA, APPLEGATE, APTOS, ARCADIA, ARMONA, ARNOLD, AROMAS, ARTESIA, ARTOIS, AT & T, ATHERTON, ATWATER, AUBERRY, AUBURN, AVENAL, AVERY, AZUSA, B H SPRINGS, BALDWIN PARK, BALLICO, BANGOR, BANK CAL/UNION/SANWA BANK, BANK OF AMERICA, BANNING, BASS LAKE, BEALE AFB, BEAUMONT, BECKWOURTH, BELDEN, BELL, BELLA VISTA, BELLFLOWER, BELMONT, BEN LOMOND, BENICIA, BERKELEY, BERRY CREEK, BETHEL ISLAND, BEVERLY HILLS, BIEBER, BIG BAR, BIG BEND, BIG CREEK, BIG SUR, BIGGS, BIJOU, BIOLA, BIRDS LANDING, BLAIRSDEN-GRAEAGLE, BLOOMINGTON, BLUE SHIELD OF CAL, BLYTHE, BODEGA, BODEGA BAY, BONITA, BONSALL, BOONVILLE, BORREGO SPRINGS, BOULDER CREEK, BRADLEY, BRANDEIS, BRANSCOMB, BREA, BRENTWOOD, BRIDGEVILLE, BRISBANE, BROOKDALE, BROOKS, BROWNS VALLEY, BROWNSVILLE, BUENA PARK, BURBANK, BURLINGAME, BURNEY, BURNT RANCH, BURREL, BURSON, BUTTE CITY, BYRON, CA BRM ZIP, CA STATE DMV, CA STATE UNIVERSITY FRESNO, CABAZON, CALABASAS, CALIF STATE UNIVERSITY CHICO, CALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE, CALIMESA, CALISTOGA, CALLAHAN, CALPELLA, CALPINE, CALWA, CAMARILLO, CAMINO, CAMP MEEKER, CAMP PENDLETON, CAMPBELL, CAMPO, CAMPO SECO, CAMPTONVILLE, CANOGA PARK, CANTUA CREEK, CANYON COUNTRY, CANYON DAM, CAPAY, CAPISTRANO BEACH, CAPITOLA, CARDIFF BY THE SEA, CARLSBAD, CARMEL, CARMEL BY THE SEA, CARMEL VALLEY, CARMICHAEL, CARNELIAN BAY, CARSON, CARUTHERS, CASPAR, CASSEL, CASTAIC, CASTELLA, CASTRO VALLEY, CASTROVILLE, CATHEDRAL CITY, CAZADERO, CEDAR RIDGE, CENTRAL VALLEY, CENTRAL VLY, CERES, CERRITOS, CHALLENGE, CHATSWORTH, CHESTER, CHEVRON, CHICAGO PARK, CHICO, CHILCOOT, CHINO, CHINO HILLS, CHOWCHILLA, CHUALAR, CHULA VISTA, CITRUS HEIGHTS, CITRUS HEIGHTS, CITRUS HTS, CLAREMONT, CLARKSBURG, CLAYTON, CLEARLAKE, CLEARLAKE OAKS, CLEARLAKE PARK, CLEMENTS, CLIO, CLIPPER MILLS, CLOVERDALE, CLOVIS, COACHELLA, COALINGA, COARSEGOLD, COBB, COLFAX, COLOMA, COLTON, COMPTCHE, COMPTON, CONCORD, COOL, COPPEROPOLIS, CORCORAN, CORNING, CORONA, CORONA DEL MAR, CORONADO, COSTA MESA, COTATI, COTTONWOOD, COURTLAND, COVELO, COVINA, COYOTE, CRESCENT MILLS, CRESSEY, CROCKETT, CROWS LANDING, CULVER CITY, CUPERTINO, CYPRESS, DALY CITY, DANA POINT, DANVILLE, DAVENPORT, DAVIS, DEER PARK, DEFENSE DIST REGION, DEL MAR, DEL REY, DELHI, DENAIR, DESCANSO, DESERT CENTER, DESERT HOT SPRINGS, DIABLO, DIAMOND BAR, DIAMOND SPRINGS, DISCOVERY BAY, DIXON, DOBBINS, DONNER, DORRIS, DOS PALOS, DOS RIOS, DOUGLAS CITY, DOUGLAS FLAT, DOWNEY, DOWNIEVILLE, DOYLE, DRYTOWN, DUARTE, DUBLIN, DUNCANS MILLS, DUNLAP, DUNNIGAN, DUNSMUIR, DURHAM, DUTCH FLAT, ECHO LAKE, EL CAJON, EL CERRITO, EL DORADO, EL DORADO HILLS, EL GRANADA, EL MONTE, EL NIDO, EL SEGUNDO, EL SOBRANTE, EL VERANO, ELDRIDGE, ELK, ELK CREEK, ELK GROVE, ELMIRA, ELVERTA, EMIGRANT GAP, EMPIRE, ENCINITAS, ENCINO, ESCALON, ESCONDIDO, ESPARTO, ETNA, EXPRESS MAIL REPORTING SYSTE, FAIR OAKS, FAIRFIELD, FALL RIVER MILLS, FALLBROOK, FALLEN LEAF, FARMERS INS, FARMINGTON, FEATHER FALLS, FELTON, FIDDLETOWN, FILLMORE, FINLEY, FIREBAUGH, FIRM HOLDOUTS, FIRST INTERSTATE BANK, FIVE POINTS, FLORISTON, FLOURNOY, FOLSOM, FONTANA, FOOTHILL RANCH, FORBESTOWN, FOREST RANCH, FORESTHILL, FORESTVILLE, FORKS OF SALMON, FORT BRAGG, FORT JONES, FOUNTAIN VALLEY, FOWLER, FRANCHISE TAX BOARD, FRANCHISE TAX BRD REFUNDS, FREEDOM, FREMONT, FRENCH CAMP, FRENCH GULCH, FRESNO, FRIANT, FULLERTON, FULTON, GALT, GARDEN GROVE, GARDEN VALLEY, GARDENA, GAZELLE, GEORGETOWN, GERBER, GEYSERVILLE, GILROY, GLEN ELLEN, GLENCOE, GLENDALE, GLENDORA, GLENHAVEN, GLENN, GOLD RUN, GONZALES, GOODYEARS BAR, GRANADA HILLS, GRAND TERRACE, GRANITE BAY, GRASS VALLEY, GRATON, GREENFIELD, GREENVIEW, GREENVILLE, GREENWOOD, GRENADA, GRIDLEY, GRIZZLY FLATS, GUALALA, GUASTI, GUERNEVILLE, GUINDA, GUSTINE, HACIENDA HEIGHTS, HALF MOON BAY, HAMILTON CITY, HANFORD, HAPPY CAMP, HARBOR CITY, HAT CREEK, HATHAWAY PINES, HATHAWAY PNES, HAWAIIAN GARDENS, HAWTHORNE, HAYFORK, HAYWARD, HEALDSBURG, HELM, HEMET, HERALD, HERCULES, HERLONG, HERMOSA BEACH, HICKMAN, HIDDEN VALLEY LAKE, HIGHLAND, HILMAR, HOLLISTER, HOLT, HOLY CITY, HOMELAND, HOMEWOOD, HOOD, HOPLAND, HORNBROOK, HUGHSON, HUME, HUNTINGTON BEACH, HURON, HYAMPOM, I B M, IDYLLWILD, IGO, IMPERIAL BEACH, INDIAN WELLS, INDIO, INGLEWOOD, IONE, IRVINE, ISLETON, JACKSON, JACUMBA, JANESVILLE, JENNER, JOLON, JULIAN, JUNCTION CITY, KELSEYVILLE, KENWOOD, KERMAN, KETTLEMAN CITY, KEYES, KING CITY, KINGS BEACH, KIT CARSON, KLAMATH RIVER, KNIGHTS LANDING, KNIGHTSEN, KYBURZ, LA CANADA FLINTRIDGE, LA CRESCENTA, LA GRANGE, LA HABRA, LA HONDA, LA JOLLA, LA MESA, LA MIRADA, LA PALMA, LA PUENTE, LA QUINTA, LA VERNE, LADERA RANCH, LAFAYETTE, LAGUNA BEACH, LAGUNA HILLS, LAGUNA NIGUEL, LAGUNA WOODS, LAKE ELSINORE, LAKE FOREST, LAKE HUGHES, LAKEHEAD, LAKEPORT, LAKESHORE, LAKEWOOD, LANCASTER, LATHROP, LATON, LAWNDALE, LAYTONVILLE, LE GRAND, LEGGETT, LEMON GROVE, LEMOORE, LEWISTON, LINCOLN, LINDEN, LITCHFIELD, LITTLE RIVER, LITTLEROCK, LIVE OAK, LIVERMORE, LIVINGSTON, LLANO, LOCKEFORD, LOCKWOOD, LODI, LOMA LINDA, LOMA MAR, LOMITA, LONG BEACH, LOOMIS, LOS ALAMITOS, LOS ALTOS, LOS ANGELES, LOS BANOS, LOS GATOS, LOS MOLINOS, LOTUS, LOWER LAKE, LOYALTON, LUCERNE, MACDOEL, MACYS OF CALIFORNIA, MADELINE, MADERA, MADISON, MAGALIA, MALIBU, MANCHESTER, MANHATTAN BEACH, MANTECA, MANTON, MARCH AIR RESERVE BASE, MARICOPA, MARINA, MARINA DEL REY, MARTINEZ, MARYSVILLE, MATHER, MAYWOOD, MCARTHUR, MCCLELLAN, MCCLOUD, MEADOW VALLEY, MEADOW VISTA, MECCA, MENDOCINO, MENDOTA, MENIFEE, MENLO PARK, MENTONE, MERCED, MERIDIAN, MIDDLETOWN, MIDWAY CITY, MILFORD, MILL CREEK, MILLBRAE, MILLVILLE, MILPITAS, MINERAL, MIRA LOMA, MIRAMONTE, MISSION HILLS, MISSION VIEJO, MODESTO, MOFFETT FIELD, MOKELUMNE HILL, MONO HOT SPGS, MONROVIA, MONTAGUE, MONTARA, MONTCLAIR, MONTE RIO, MONTEBELLO, MONTEREY, MONTEREY PARK, MONTGOMERY CREEK, MONTROSE, MOORPARK, MORAGA, MORENO VALLEY, MORGAN HILL, MOSS BEACH, MOSS LANDING, MOUNT AUKUM, MOUNT HAMILTON, MOUNT HERMON, MOUNT SHASTA, MOUNTAIN CENTER, MOUNTAIN RANCH, MOUNTAIN VIEW, MT BALDY, MURPHYS, MURRIETA, NAPA, NATIONAL CITY, NAVAL AIR WARFARE CTR, NAVAL BASE VENTURA COUNTY, NAVARRO, NEVADA CITY, NEW ALMADEN, NEWARK, NEWBURY PARK, NEWCASTLE, NEWHALL, NEWMAN, NEWPORT BEACH, NEWPORT COAST, NICE, NICOLAUS, NORCO, NORDEN, NORTH FORK, NORTH HIGHLANDS, NORTH HILLS, NORTH HOLLYWOOD, NORTH PALM SPRINGS, NORTH SAN JUAN, NORTHRIDGE, NORWALK, NUBIEBER, NUEVO, NUT TREE, O NEALS, OAK PARK, OAK RUN, OAK VIEW, OAKDALE, OAKHURST, OAKLEY, OAKVILLE, OCCIDENTAL, OCEANSIDE, OJAI, OLD STATION, OLIVEHURST, OLYMPIC VALLEY, ONIZUKA AFB, ONTARIO, ORANGE, ORANGEVALE, OREGON HOUSE, ORINDA, ORLAND, OROVILLE, OXNARD, PACIFIC AREA OFFICE, PACIFIC BELL, PACIFIC GAS & ELECTRIC, PACIFIC GROVE, PACIFIC PALISADES, PACIFICA, PACOIMA, PALA, PALERMO, PALM DESERT, PALM SPRINGS, PALMDALE, PALO ALTO, PALO CEDRO, PALOS VERDES PENINSULA, PANORAMA CITY, PARADISE, PARAMOUNT, PARLIER, PASADENA, PASKENTA, PATTERSON, PAUMA VALLEY, PAYNES CREEK, PEARBLOSSOM, PEBBLE BEACH, PENN VALLEY, PENNGROVE, PENRYN, PERRIS, PESCADERO, PETALUMA, PHILO, PICO RIVERA, PIEDRA, PIERCY, PILOT HILL, PINE GROVE, PINE VALLEY, PINOLE, PIONEER, PIRU, PITTSBURG, PLACENTIA, PLACERVILLE, PLANADA, PLATINA, PLEASANT GROVE, PLEASANT HILL, PLEASANTON, PLYMOUTH, POINT ARENA, POLLOCK PINES, POMONA, POPE VALLEY, PORT COSTA, PORT HUENEME, PORTER RANCH, PORTOLA, PORTOLA VALLEY, POSTAL DATA CENTER, POTTER VALLEY, POWAY, PRATHER, PRINCETON, PROBERTA, QUINCY, RACKERBY, RAIL RD FLAT, RAISIN CITY, RAMONA, RANCHO CORDOVA, RANCHO CORDOVA, RANCHO CUCAMONGA, RANCHO MIRAGE, RANCHO PALOS VERDES, RANCHO SANTA FE, RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA, RAVENDALE, RAYMOND, RED BLUFF, REDDING, REDLANDS, REDONDO BEACH, REDWOOD CITY, REDWOOD VALLEY, REEDLEY, RESCUE, RESEDA, RIALTO, RICHMOND, RICHVALE, RIO LINDA, RIO NIDO, RIO OSO, RIO VISTA, RIPON, RIVER PINES, RIVERBANK, RIVERDALE, RIVERSIDE, RNCHO CORDOVA, ROBBINS, ROCKLIN, RODEO, ROHNERT PARK, ROSEMEAD, ROSEVILLE, ROUGH AND READY, ROUND MOUNTAIN, ROWLAND HEIGHTS, RUMSEY, RUTHERFORD, RYDE, S LAKE TAHOE, S SAN FRAN, SACRAMENTO, SAINT HELENA, SALIDA, SALINAS, SALYER, SAN ANDREAS, SAN ARDO, SAN BERNARDINO, SAN BRUNO, SAN CARLOS, SAN CLEMENTE, SAN DIEGO, SAN DIMAS, SAN FERNANDO, SAN FRANCISCO, SAN GABRIEL, SAN GREGORIO, SAN JACINTO, SAN JOAQUIN, SAN JOSE, SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, SAN LEANDRO, SAN LORENZO, SAN LUCAS, SAN MARCOS, SAN MARINO, SAN MARTIN, SAN MATEO, SAN MIGUEL, SAN PABLO, SAN PEDRO, SAN RAMON, SAN YSIDRO, SANGER, SANTA ANA, SANTA CLARA, SANTA CLARITA, SANTA CRUZ, SANTA FE SPRINGS, SANTA MONICA, SANTA PAULA, SANTA RITA PARK, SANTA RITA PK, SANTA ROSA, SANTA YSABEL, SANTEE, SARATOGA, SCOTT BAR, SCOTTS VALLEY, SEAL BEACH, SEASIDE, SEBASTOPOL, SEIAD VALLEY, SELMA, SHASTA, SHASTA LAKE, SHAVER LAKE, SHEEP RANCH, SHERIDAN, SHERMAN OAKS, SHINGLE SPRINGS, SHINGLETOWN, SIERRA CITY, SIERRA MADRE, SIERRAVILLE, SIGNAL HILL, SILVERADO, SIMI VALLEY, SLOUGHHOUSE, SMARTVILLE, SNELLING, SODA SPRINGS, SOLANA BEACH, SOLEDAD, SOMERSET, SOMES BAR, SOMIS, SONOMA, SOQUEL, SOUTH DOS PALOS, SOUTH EL MONTE, SOUTH GATE, SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, SOUTH PASADENA, SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, SPRECKELS, SPRING VALLEY, SQUAW VALLEY, STANDISH, STANFORD, STANTON, STEVENSON RANCH, STEVINSON, STEWARTS POINT, STIRLING CITY, STKN, STOCKTON, STRATFORD, STRAWBERRY VALLEY, STUDIO CITY, SUISUN CITY, SUN CITY, SUN VALLEY, SUNLAND, SUNNYVALE, SUNOL, SUNSET BEACH, SURFSIDE, SUSANVILLE, SUTTER, SUTTER CREEK, SYLMAR, TAHOE CITY, TAHOE VISTA, TAHOMA, TALMAGE, TARZANA, TAYLORSVILLE, TEHAMA, TEMECULA, TEMPLE CITY, TERMO, THE SEA RANCH, THERMAL, THORNTON, THOUSAND OAKS, THOUSAND PALMS, TOLLHOUSE, TOPANGA, TORRANCE, TRABUCO CANYON, TRACY, TRANQUILLITY, TRAVIS AFB, TRINITY CENTER, TRUCKEE, TUJUNGA, TULELAKE, TURLOCK, TUSTIN, TWAIN, TWIN BRIDGES, UKIAH, UNION CITY, UNIVERSAL CITY, UPPER LAKE, VACAVILLE, VALENCIA, VALLECITO, VALLEJO, VALLEY CENTER, VALLEY FORD, VALLEY SPRINGS, VALLEY VILLAGE, VALYERMO, VAN NUYS, VENTURA, VERNALIS, VICTOR, VILLA PARK, VINA, VINEBURG, VINTON, VISTA, VOLCANO, W SACRAMENTO, WALLACE, WALNUT, WALNUT CREEK, WALNUT GROVE, WASHINGTON, WATERFORD, WATSONVILLE, WEAVERVILLE, WEED, WEIMAR, WENDEL, WEST COVINA, WEST HILLS, WEST HOLLYWOOD, WEST POINT, WEST SACRAMENTO, WESTLAKE VILLAGE, WESTLEY, WESTPORT, WESTWOOD, Westminster, WHEATLAND, WHISKEYTOWN, WHITE WATER, WHITMORE, WHITTIER, WILDOMAR, WILLITS, WILLOWS, WILMINGTON, WILSEYVILLE, WILTON, WINCHESTER, WINDSOR, WINNETKA, WINTERS, WINTON, WISHON, WITTER SPRINGS, WOODBRIDGE, WOODLAND, WOODLAND HILLS, YOLO, YORBA LINDA, YORKVILLE, YOUNTVILLE, YREKA, YUBA CITY, YUCAIPA, ZAMORA, ZENIA