Utah Bankruptcy Laws

Debtors must have lived in Utah for at least 730 days (2 full years) before filing to use Utah's exemption laws. If you moved to Utah more recently, you may need to use the exemptions from your prior state of residence.

Protects up to approximately $53,700 of equity in the debtor's primary residence (single filer; amount adjusted annually for inflation). Joint owners filing together may each claim the exemption. Non-primary-residence real property is exempt up to approximately $6,200. Mobile homes are also eligible with a smaller exemption limit. Check the Utah State Auditor for the current year's exact amount.

Protects up to $3,000 in equity in one motor vehicle (car, van, motorcycle, truck, or SUV). Married couples filing jointly can exempt up to $6,000 in a shared primary vehicle.

Tools of trade: $5,000. Sofas, chairs, and related furnishings: $1,000. Animals, books, and musical instruments: $1,000. Firearms: $250. Clothing is exempt without a dollar limit. Retirement accounts (401k, IRA) are fully exempt.

Unpaid earnings as of the filing date are exempt up to 1/24th of the annual median income for Utah (or 1/12 if paid monthly). This protects wages earned but not yet received at the time of bankruptcy filing.

Utah has opted out of the federal bankruptcy exemptions. Debtors must use Utah state exemptions exclusively. Utah does not provide a wildcard exemption that can be applied to any property. However, debtors may use federal nonbankruptcy exemptions in addition to state exemptions.