Tennessee Bankruptcy Exemption List

You may only use the State Exemptions

The state of Tennessee has their own list of bankruptcy exemptions and you are not allowed to use the federal list. In some states, you may have a few supplemental federal exemptions which can be used with the state list. There may also be certain residency requirement to use the Tennessee state exemption list. In addition, not all of your assets may have a matching state exemption.

Contact a Tennessee Bankruptcy Attorney to discuss all available options prior to filing bankruptcy in Tennessee

Exemptions	Exemption Amount	Statutes
Homestead	$5000; $7500 for joint owners Life estate 2-15 year lease Spouse or child of deceased owner may claim homestead exemption Property held as tenancy by the entirety may be exempt against debts owed by only one spouse	26-2-301 26-2-302 26-2-303 26-2-301 In re Arango, 136 B.R. 740, aff’d, 992 F. 2d 611 (6th Cir. 1993)
Miscellaneous	Alimony owed for 30 days before filing for bankruptcy Property of business partnership	26-2-111(1) (E) 61-1-124
Pensions	ERISA-qualified benefits Public employees State & local government employees Teachers	26-2-111(1) (D) 8-36-111 26-2-104 49-5-909
Public Benefits	Aid to blind Aid to disabled Crime victims’ compensation to $5000 (see personal property) Local public assistance Old-age assistance Social security Unemployment compensation Veterans’ benefits Workers’ compensation	71-4-117 71-4-1112 26-2-111(2) (A), 29-13-111 26-2-111(1) (A) 71-2-216 26-2-111(1) (A) 26-2-111(1) (A) 26-2-111(1) (B) 50-6-223
Tools of Trade	Implements, books & tools of trade to $1900	26-2-111(4)
Insurance	Accident, health or disability benefits for resident and citizen of Tennessee Disability or illness benefits Fraternal benefit society benefits Homeowners’ insurance proceeds to $5000 Life insurance or annuity for spouse/children/dependent relatives - exempt from all claims	26-2-110 26-2-111(1) ( C) 56-25-1403 26-2-304 56-7-03
Personal Property	Bible, schoolbooks, pictures, portraits, clothing & storage containers Burial plot to 1 acre Health aids Lost earnings payments for you or person you depended on Personal injury recoveries to $7500 (not to include pain and suffering); wrongful death recoveries to $10,000 (you can’t exempt more than $15,000 total for personal injury, wrongful death & crime victims’ compensation)	26-2-103 26-2-305, 46-2-102 26-2-111(5) 26-2-111(3) 26-2-111(2) (B) 26-2-111(2) ( C)
Wages	Minimum 75% of earned but unpaid wages, plus $2.50 per week per child; bankruptcy judge may authorize more for low-income debtors	26-2-106 26-2-107
Wild Card	$4,000 of any personal property	26-2-102

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