Maryland Bankruptcy Exemptions
Homestead
there are no homestead exemptions. However, tenancies by the entirety to
unlimited amount as to debts of one spouse [In re Sefren, 41 B.R. 747 (D.
Md. 1984)]. Also see the section below on "Personal Property."
Personal Property
Bus. Reg. 5-503 - Burial plot.
Bus. Reg. 5-602 - Perpetual care trust funds.
11-504 - Clothing, household goods, furnishings, appliances, books, and pets
up to $1,000 total; health aids; cash or property up to $6,000 if claimed
within 30 days of attachment or levy; lost future earnings recoveries; and
any other real or personal property up to $5,000 total.
Wages
Comm. 15-601.1 - Earned but unpaid wages are exempt as follows: in Caroline,
Kent, Queen Anne's, and Worcester counties, the greater of 75% of actual
wages or 30 times the federal minimum wage; in all other counties, the
greater of 75% or $145 per week.
Pensions
11 U.S.C. § 522 - Tax exempt retirement accounts; Traditional and Roth IRAs
up to $1,095,000 per person.
St. Pers. Pen. 21-502 - State employees
11-504 - ERISA-qualified benefits, including IRAs, Roth IRAs and Keoghs.
Public Benefits
Labor & Employ. 8-106 - Unemployment compensation.
Labor & Employ. 9-732 - Workers' compensation.
Code of 1057 88A-73 - General assistance.
Code of 1957 art. 24 16-103 - Baltimore police death benefits.
Crim. Proc. 11-816 - Crime victims' compensation.
Tools of Trade
11-504 - Tools, books, instruments, appliances, and clothing needed for work
up to $5,000.
Insurance
Ins. 8-431 - Fraternal benefit society benefits.
Ins. 16-111 - Life insurance or annuity contract proceeds, dividends,
interest, loan, cash, or surrender value if beneficiary is a dependent of
the insured.
Comm. 15-601.1 - Medical benefits deducted from wages as well as medical
insurance payments up to $145 per week or 75% of disposable wages.
11-504 - Disability or health benefits.