On this page you can find all of the exemptions for Massachusetts. Exemptions are the property that you can keep when you file bankruptcy.
CATEGORY
PROPERTY
AMOUNT
STATUTE
Homestead
Real property or manufactured home of person 62 and older or disabled person
$500,000
Mass. Gen. Laws Ch. 188 § 1, 2
Homestead
Residence owned or leased by householder with family
$500,000 ($125,000 if undeclared)
Mass. Gen. Laws Ch. 188 § 1-4
Motor Vehicle
Motor Vehicle
$7,500
Mass. Gen. Laws Ch. 235 § 34(16)
Wild Card
Cash, savings, deposits in banks, and money owed for wages
$7,500
Mass. Gen. Laws Ch. 235 § 34(15)
Wages / Wage Garnishment
Wages
85% gross or 50 times min wage
Mass. Gen. Laws Ch. 235 § 34(15)
Wages / Wage Garnishment
Public employee payroll deductions
100%
Mass. Gen. Laws Ch. 149 § 178B
Wages / Wage Garnishment
Wages of seaman
100%
Mass. Gen. Laws Ch. 246 § 32(7)
Wages / Wage Garnishment
Payroll deductions of public employees for repaying loans
100%
Mass. Gen. Laws Ch. 149 § 178B
Wages / Wage Garnishment
Wages and salaries assigned
75%
Mass. Gen. Laws Ch. 154 § 3
Insurance
Group annuity contract benefits
100% (except support orders)
Mass. Gen. Laws Ch. 175 § 132C
Insurance
Disability insurance payments
$400 per week
Mass. Gen. Laws Ch. 175 § 110A
Insurance
Disability insurance payments
$400 per week
Mass. Gen. Laws Ch. 175 § 110A
Insurance
Life insurance proceeds
100%
Mass. Gen. Laws Ch. 175 § 125,126
Insurance
Benefits from fraternal benefits societies
100%
Mass. Gen. Laws Ch. 176 § 22
Insurance
Self-insurance funds of health care provider
100%
Mass. Gen. Laws Ch. 175F § 15
Insurance
Life insurance or annuity contract benefits retained by Co.
100%
Mass. Gen. Laws Ch. 175 § 119A
Insurance
Group insurance policies and proceeds
100% (except support orders)
Mass. Gen. Laws Ch. 175 § 135
Insurance
Group insurance policies and proceeds
100% (except support orders
Mass. Gen. Laws Ch. 175 § 135
Insurance
Group annuity contract benefits
100% (except support orders)
Mass. Gen. Laws Ch. 175 § 132C
Personal Property
1 sewing machine, 1 computer, 1 television
100%
Mass. Gen. Laws Ch. 235 § 34(12)
Personal Property
Tombs and rights of burial
100%
Mass. Gen. Laws Ch. 235 § 34(11)
Personal Property
Jewelry
$1,225
Mass. Gen. Laws Ch. 235 § 34(18)
Personal Property
One pew in house of public worship
100%
Mass. Gen. Laws Ch. 235 § 34(8)
Personal Property
Any personal property
$1,000 +up to $5,000 of unused auto, furniture, & trade tools exemptions
Mass. Gen. Laws Ch. 235 § 34(17)
Personal Property
2 cows, 12 sheep, 2 swine and 4 tons of hay
100%
Mass. Gen. Laws Ch. 235 § 34(4)
Personal Property
Automobile used by elderly or disabled
$15,000
Mass. Gen. Laws Ch. 235 §34(16)
Personal Property
Bibles, school books and library
$500
Mass. Gen. Laws Ch. 235 § 34(3)
Personal Property
Monies in bank accounts
$2,500
Mass. Gen. Laws Ch. 246 § 28A
Personal Property
Other household furniture
$15,000
Mass. Gen. Laws Ch. 235 § 34(2)
Personal Property
Wages for personal service
85% gross or 50 times minimum wage
Mass. Gen. Laws Ch. 246 § 28
Personal Property
Necessary wearing apparel, beds, bedding, and heating unit used by debtor and family plus up to $500/mo. for utilities
100% except for utilities
Mass. Gen. Laws Ch. 235 § 34(1)
Personal Property
Shares in cooperative associations
$100
Mass. Gen. Laws Ch. 235 § 34(13)
Pensions / Retirement Accounts
Pension payments
100%
Mass. Gen. Laws Ch. 246 § 28
Pensions / Retirement Accounts
Debtor's interest in annuity, pension, profit-sharing, or other retirement plan that qualifies under the I.R.C, or a similar plan or contract purchased with assets of qualified plan.
100%
(Individual contributions made during last 5 years in excess of 7% of income not exempt)
Mass. Gen. Laws Ch. 235 § 34A & 246 §28
Pensions / Retirement Accounts
Private pension association benefits
100%
Mass. Gen. Laws Ch. 32 § 41
Pensions / Retirement Accounts
Public employees retirement benefits, including prison employees, court officers, police, and firefighters
100%
Mass. Gen. Laws Ch. 32 § 19
Tools of the Trade
Uniform and required arms and accoutrements of militiaman
100%
Mass. Gen. Laws Ch. 235 § 34(10)
Tools of the Trade
Boats, fishing tackle and nets of fisherman
$1,500
Mass. Gen. Laws Ch. 235 § 34(9)
Tools of the Trade
Materials and stock used in trade or business
$5,000
Mass. Gen. Laws Ch. 235 § 34(6)
Tools of the Trade
Tools, implements and fixtures of trade or business
$5,000
Mass. Gen. Laws Ch. 235 § 34(5)
Public Benefits
Veterans benefits
100%
Mass. Gen. Laws Ch. 115 § 5
Public Benefits
Public assistance payments
100%
Mass. Gen. Laws Ch. 235 § 34(15) and 118 § 10
Public Benefits
Unemployment compensation benefits
100% (except support orders)
Mass. Gen. Laws Ch. 151A § 36
Public Benefits
Workmen's compensation benefits
100% (except support order)
Mass. Gen. Laws Ch. 152 § 47
Miscellaneous
Specific partnership property
100% of partner's interest
Mass. Gen. Laws Ch. 108A § 25
Miscellaneous
Funds deposited in payroll accounts
100%
Mass. Gen. Laws Ch. 246 § 20
Miscellaneous
Relocation payments
100%
Mass. Gen. Laws Ch. 79A § 7
Miscellaneous
Money used to pay rent (in lieu of homestead exemption)
$2,500 per month
Mass. Gen. Laws Ch. 235 § 34(14)
Miscellaneous
Provisions for family (or money therefore)
$600
Mass. Gen. Laws Ch. 235 § 34(7)
If you want to learn more about filing bankruptcy in Massachusetts please visit our FAQ Page or for more information about Massachusetts you can visit the Massachusetts section.
