Missouri State Bankruptcy Exemption List

Only State Exemptions Allowed

In the state of Missouri you can not use the federal bankruptcy exemption list but must choose the Missouri Bankruptcy exemptions. There may be certain federal supplemental exemptions you can use. All exemptions should be discussed with your Missouri Bankruptcy Attorney.

Missouri has created bankruptcy exemptions to allow you to maintain enough public benefits, wages, personal property and insurance to start over after filing bankruptcy in Missouri. There may be certain residency requirements to use the State of Missouri Bankruptcy Exemption List.

The following table will outline the Missouri Bankruptcy Exemptions. Some of your property or assets may not have a matching exemption.

Exemptions	Exemption Amount	Statutes
Homestead	Real property to $8000 or mobile home to $1000 (joint owners may not double) Property held as tenancy for the entirety may be exempt against debts owed by only one spouse	513.430(6), 513.475 In re Anderson, 12 B.R. 483 (W.D. Mo. 1981)
Tools of Trade	Implements, books and tools of trade to $2000	513.430(4)
Wages	Minimum 75% of earned but unpaid wages (90% for head of family) Bankruptcy judge may authorize more for low-income debtors Wages of servant or common laborer to $90	525.030 513.470
Wildcard	$1250 of any property if head of family, else $400; head of family may claim an additional $250 per child	513.430(3), 513.440
Pensions	Employees of cities with 100,000 or more people ERISA-qualified benefits needed for support (only payments being received) Firefighters Highway & transportation employees Police Department employees State employees Teachers	71.207 513.430(10)(e) 87.090, 87.365, 87.485 104.250 86.190, 86.353, 86.493, 86.780 104.540 169.090
Personal Property	Appliances, household goods, furnishings, clothing, books, crops, animals and musical instruments to $1,000 Burial grounds to one acre or $100 Health aids Jewelry to $500 Motor vehicle to $1000 Personal injury causes of action Wrongful death recoveries for person debtor depended on	513.430(1) 214.190 513.430(9) 513.430(2) 513.430(5) In re Mitchell, 73 B.R. 93 (E.D. Mo. 1987) 513.430(11)
Insurance	Assessment or insurance premium proceeds Disability or illness benefits Fraternal benefit society benefits to $5000, bought over six months before filing Life insurance dividends, loan value or interest to $5000, bought over six months before filing Life insurance proceeds if policy owned by woman and insures her husband Life insurance proceeds if policy owned by unmarried woman and insures her father or brother Stipulated insurance premiums Non-matured life insurance policy	377.090 513.430(10)(c) 513.430(8) 513.430(8) 376.530 376.550 377.330 513.430(7)
Miscellaneous	Alimony, child support to $500 per month Property of business partnership	513.430(10(d) 358.250
Public benefits	AFDC Social security Unemployment compensation Veterans’ benefits Workers’ compensation	513.430(10(a) 513.430(10)(a) 288.380(10(l), 53.430(10)(c) 513.430(10(b) 287.260