The short answer is a resounding NO. The longer answer is that (1) "exemptions" keep most people from losing anything and (2) if you have more money and "stuff" than you can protect with exemptions, then a Chapter 13 (payment plan) bankruptcy may be a way to keep everything you own.
Chapter 7
In a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, the type that gets rid of your debts quickly, you get to keep everything that you can "exempt" under the exemption laws of your state. In California (as of May 2023):
• If you don't have equity in a home that you want to keep, you can protect (exempt) up to the following:
– $33,650 – Any combination of things (referred to as the "wildcard" exemption)
– $7,500 – One or more vehicles (the resale value above the amount owed on it)
– All of your household items and clothing that individually are not worth more than $650, which usually includes everything you own.
– All (usually) of your retirement accounts
– Note that the $33,650 wildcard exemption may be used to “pick up” excess amounts from any number of exemption categories, such as a car that's worth more than $7,500 above the amount owed on it.
– There are other specific exemptions, but those are the most important ones.
• If you do have equity in a home that you want to keep, you can protect (exempt) different amounts of that equity based on your age and other factors. It's called a Homestead Exemption.
$300,000 (minimum) – $600,000 (maximum) depending on the county you live in.
You do not get the wildcard exemption, so speak to your bankruptcy attorney about how to "spend down" properly any bank accounts or investments (non-retirement accounts) you may have.
Chapter 13
In a Chapter 13 (payment plan) bankruptcy, you get to keep everything in return for paying to the trustee (for the benefit of your creditors), monthly over three to five years, at least as much as your creditors would have received in a Chapter 7 bankruptcy. There is way more to a Chapter 13 than this. Your bankruptcy attorney should know the additional details.
As you can see, there are multiple ways to keep what you own when filing bankruptcy. It's up to you to choose the best bankruptcy attorney for you who will work with you and guide you through the process for the best outcome.
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