Kansas Bankruptcy Laws

Standard federal filing fees. Kansas is in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Kansas (Wichita, Kansas City, Topeka).

Pre-filing credit counseling and pre-discharge debtor education are required (federal requirements).

The homestead is exempt to unlimited value but limited by acreage: 1 acre in a city or town, 160 acres on a farm. Must be the debtor's principal residence or property they intend to occupy. This is one of the most generous homestead exemptions in the country — there is no dollar cap on the value of the home.

One motor vehicle (means of conveyance) is exempt up to $20,000 in value. There is no dollar limit for vehicles owned by handicapped persons.

Furnishings, equipment, supplies (including food, fuel, and clothing) at the principal residence necessary for 1 year: 100% exempt. Jewelry and personal ornaments: $1,000 limit. Books, documents, tools, instruments, implements, equipment, and other tangible means of production necessary to carry on a trade, profession, or business: 100% exempt. Burial plot: 100% exempt.

Retirement plans and IRAs qualified under IRC sections 401(a), 403(a), 403(b), 408, 408A, or 409 are fully exempt. Public employee pensions (state employees, police, firefighters, school employees) are 100% exempt.

Kansas does not provide a wildcard exemption. Debtors cannot apply a general exemption to any property of their choosing.

Kansas has opted out of the federal bankruptcy exemption scheme under 11 U.S.C. § 522(b)(2). Kansas debtors must use state exemptions and cannot elect the federal exemptions, including the federal wildcard.