Federal & State Lawfederalstatelaw.com
Back to Questions
bankruptcyMO

What are bankruptcy exemptions in Missouri?

Federal & State Law Editorial TeamLast reviewed: 2026-05-02

Missouri's bankruptcy exemptions are modest and have not been substantially updated in years.

1. Opt-Out State — RSMo § 513.427

Missouri opted out. Debtors must use Missouri exemptions.

2. Homestead — RSMo § 513.475

  • $15,000 equity in real estate used as a residence.
  • $5,000 for a mobile home.

    • Low compared to neighboring states.

    3. Wildcard — RSMo § 513.430.1(3), 513.440

  • $600 in any personal property under § 513.430.1(3).
  • +$1,250 if head of household under § 513.440.
  • +$350 per dependent child under § 513.440 (cap $1,750 if 4+ dependents).

    • Total wildcard for head of household with 4 dependents: $3,600.

    4. Motor Vehicle — RSMo § 513.430.1(5)

  • $3,000 equity in one motor vehicle.

    • 5. Personal Property — RSMo § 513.430.1

  • Household furniture, appliances, books: $3,000 (subsection (1)).
  • Wedding rings: $1,500 + other jewelry $500 (subsection (2)).
  • Wearing apparel for debtor and family: unlimited.
  • Tools of trade — § 513.430.1(4): $3,000.
  • Health aids — § 513.430.1(9): fully exempt.
  • Bible, books: $300.
  • Burial plot: $100.

    • 6. Wages — RSMo § 525.030

    75% of disposable earnings OR 30x federal minimum wage exempt (matches CCPA). Head of family: 90% of weekly disposable earnings.

    7. Retirement Accounts — RSMo § 513.430.1(10)

  • ERISA plans, IRAs, Roth IRAs: fully exempt.

    • 8. Insurance — RSMo § 377.090, § 376.530

    Life insurance proceeds and cash value — generally exempt.

    9. Public Benefits — RSMo § 513.430.1(10)

    Social Security, unemployment, workers' comp, veterans', public assistance — fully exempt.

    10. Personal Injury Proceeds — RSMo § 513.427

    Personal injury and wrongful death proceeds: amount necessary for support.

    11. Earned Income Tax Credit — RSMo § 513.430.1(10)(g)

    Fully exempt.

    12. Tenancy by the Entirety

    Missouri recognizes — joint marital property exempt from individual creditors.

    13. Domicile Requirement

    730-day rule under 11 U.S.C. § 522(b)(3).

    14. No Inflation Adjustment

    Most Missouri exemption amounts are NOT routinely adjusted for inflation.

    15. Strategy

  • Modest exemptions = many MO debtors must give up some assets in Chapter 7.
  • Chapter 13 may be necessary to keep nonexempt property by repaying value over time.

    • This is legal information, not legal advice.

    When to Talk to a Lawyer
    • Your home equity exceeds the modest $15,000 homestead — you may need Chapter 13
    • You're head of household with multiple dependents and need to maximize the wildcard
    • You and your spouse own property as tenants by the entirety
    Related Statutes & Laws
    • Mo. Rev. Stat. § 513.430
    • Mo. Rev. Stat. § 513.440
    • Mo. Rev. Stat. § 513.475
    • Mo. Rev. Stat. § 525.030

    This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.