Though not included in the District of Columbia statutory homestead exemption, a court has held that property owned by a married couple as a tenancy by the entirety is exempt if only one spouse owes the debt.
The references to District of Columbia statutes are to the District of Columbia Code.
| DC Bankruptcy Exemptions
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| Assets |
Exemption |
State Statute |
| Homestead |
Residence of debtor or debtor’s
dependents: all. |
15-501(a)(14) |
| Insurance |
Life insurance contract
(unmatured) other than credit life insurance: all. |
15-501(a)(5) |
|
Disability benefits: all. |
15-501(a)(7); 31-4716.01 |
|
Life insurance payments: all. |
15-501(a)(11) |
|
Other insurance proceeds: up to
$200 per month for a maximum of 2 months for the person providing the
principal support for a family; up to $60 a month for 2 months for all
others. |
15-503 |
|
Life insurance proceeds or
avails: all. |
31-4716 |
|
Group life insurance
policy/proceeds: all. |
31-4717 |
|
Life insurance proceeds: all if
policy has a clause prohibiting the proceeds from being used to pay the
creditors of the beneficiary. |
31-4719 |
|
Benefits from a fraternal
benefit society: all. |
31-5315 |
| Miscellaneous |
Child support and alimony
payments: all. |
15-501(a)(7) |
| Pensions |
Federal pension exemptions. |
|
|
Judge pensions: all. |
11-1570(f) |
|
Stock bonuses, annuity
payments, pensions payments, and profit-sharing plans: all. |
15-501(a)(7) |
|
IRA’s, Keoghs, and other
ERISA-qualified benefits: up to maximum tax-deductible contribution. |
15-501(b)(9) |
|
Public school teacher pensions:
all. |
38-2001.17; 38-2021.17 |
| Personal Property |
Motor vehicle: up to $2,575. |
15-501(a)(1) |
|
Household furnishings,
appliances, musical instruments, books, clothing, and pets: up to $425 for
each item and $8,625 total. |
15-501(a)(2) |
|
Professionally prescribed
health aids. |
15-501(a)(6) |
|
Family pictures: all. |
15-501(a)(8) |
|
Family library: up to $400. |
15-501(a)(8) |
|
Recovery for loss, including
pain and suffering of the debtor or someone the debtor depends upon: all. |
15-501(a)(11) |
|
Recovery for wrongful death:
all. |
15-501(a)(11); 16-2703 |
|
Food: enough to last 3 months. |
15-501(a)(12) |
|
Holdings in cooperative
association: up to $50. |
29-928 |
|
Deposit for a residential
condominium: all. |
42-1904.09 |
|
Burial and cemetery funds: all. |
43-111 |
|
Savings account for higher
education: all. |
47-4510 |
| Public Benefits |
General assistance: all. |
4-215.01 |
|
Blind, aged, or disabled aid:
all. |
4-215.01 |
|
Crime victim's compensation
benefits: all. |
4-507(e); 15-501(a)(11) |
|
Social Security benefits: all. |
15-501(a)(7) |
|
Veterans' benefits: all. |
15-501(a)(7) |
|
Workers' compensation benefits:
all. |
32-1517 |
|
Unemployment compensation
benefits: all. |
51-118 |
| Tools of Your Trade |
Seal and documents of notary
public: all. |
1-1206 |
|
Tools needed for trade or
business: up to $1,625. |
15-501(a)(5) |
|
Furniture, tools, and library
of artist or professional: up to $300. |
15-501(a)(13) |
|
Tools of mechanic: up to $200. |
15-503(b) |
| Wages |
Recovery for loss of future
earnings: all. |
15-501(e)(11) |
|
Earnings other than wages, such
as pensions and retirement funds: up to $200 per month for head of family; up
to $60 per month for 2 months for those not head of family. |
15-503 |
|
Wages earned but not yet paid:
at least 75% of wages and pension payments. The bankruptcy judge may allow a
larger percentage for low-income debtors. |
16-572 |
| Wildcard |
Any property: up to $850. |
15-501(a)(3) |
|
Any property: up to $8,075 of
unused homestead exemption. |
15-501(a)(3) |
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