Florida Bankruptcy Exemptions Calculator See What You Can Protect
Florida has some of the strongest bankruptcy exemptions in the country — your home, retirement accounts, and a meaningful amount of everyday property can be fully protected. Answer five short questions to see what you may be able to keep. This is an educational estimate, not a legal determination, and nothing you enter is saved, sent, or stored anywhere.
What Florida Law Protects
Based on the answers you gave
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Florida Bankruptcy Exemptions at a Glance
These are the exemption amounts the calculator applies, current as of August 2026:
| Exemption | Amount | Key condition |
|---|---|---|
| Homestead (primary residence) | Unlimited value | Must fit acreage limits: ½ acre inside a municipality, 160 acres outside one |
| Homestead — federal cap | $214,000 | Applies only if the home was acquired within 1,215 days (about 40 months) before filing |
| Motor vehicle equity | $5,000 per filer | $10,000 for a married couple filing jointly; raised from $1,000 in 2024 |
| Personal property (wildcard) | $4,000 per filer | Only available if you do not claim the homestead exemption |
| Retirement accounts | Unlimited | Applies to IRS-qualified plans: 401(k), IRA, pension |
| Wages (head of family) | 100% exempt | If disposable earnings are $750/week or less and you support a dependent |
| Life insurance & annuities | Fully exempt | Cash surrender value and proceeds |
| Florida residency required | 730 days | You must have lived in Florida 2 years before filing to use Florida's exemptions |
Scroll table sideways to see all columns →
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can't I use both the homestead exemption and the wildcard exemption?
Florida law ties the $4,000 wildcard (personal property) exemption to not claiming the homestead exemption. If you're keeping a home under the unlimited homestead protection, the wildcard generally isn't available — but if you don't own a home or won't claim homestead, you get the full $4,000 (or $8,000 if married filing jointly) toward other property instead.
What if I've owned my home for less than 3 years and 4 months?
Florida's own homestead exemption has no cap, but federal law adds a limit on top of it: if you acquired the home within 1,215 days (about 40 months) of filing, protected equity is capped at $214,000 regardless of the home's actual value. This cap doesn't apply once you've owned the home longer than that.
How much vehicle equity can I protect?
$5,000 in equity per filer, or $10,000 for a married couple filing jointly. This was increased from $1,000 by a 2024 change to Florida law, so older articles citing the lower figure are out of date.
Are my 401(k) and IRA safe in a Florida bankruptcy?
Generally yes. Florida law protects IRS-qualified retirement accounts with no dollar cap, which is stronger than the federal exemption scheme. In most cases retirement savings simply aren't part of the conversation.
Does this calculator give me a legal answer about my case?
No. It's an educational estimate based on the general exemption rules in Florida Statutes Chapter 222 and federal bankruptcy law. It doesn't account for every circumstance — jointly-titled property with a non-filing spouse, business assets, out-of-state property, liens, or recent legal changes can all change the real answer. An attorney reviewing your specific numbers is the only way to get a reliable answer.
Is anything I enter here saved or sent anywhere?
No. All calculations happen directly in your browser. Nothing you type into this tool is transmitted, stored, or seen by anyone at this firm.
This calculator provides general educational estimates only and does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship. Exemption amounts reflect Florida Statutes Chapter 222 and federal bankruptcy law as of August 2026 and are subject to change by the Florida Legislature or Congress. Results do not account for every circumstance, including jointly-titled assets, tenancy by entireties, business property, out-of-state assets, or liens. The hiring of a lawyer is an important decision that should not be based solely upon advertisements. Attorney Juan C. Burgos is a federally designated debt relief agency helping families and businesses file for relief under the United States Bankruptcy Code.
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