District of Columbia Bankruptcy Laws

Federal filing fee for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Fee waivers are available for qualifying low-income filers.

Federal filing fee for Chapter 13 bankruptcy.

You must complete credit counseling from an approved agency within 180 days before filing and a debtor education course before discharge.

Protects 100% of equity in your primary residence, cooperative, or condominium with no dollar limit — one of the most generous in the nation. If the home was purchased within 1,215 days (about 3.3 years) of filing, the exemption is capped at $155,675 under federal law.

Protects up to $2,575 of equity in one motor vehicle.

Protects up to $425 in any single item and $8,625 in aggregate for household furnishings, goods, wearing apparel, appliances, books, animals, crops, and musical instruments held for personal or family use.

Protects up to $850 of any property if you claimed the homestead exemption, or up to $8,075 of any property if you did not. This can be applied to any asset, including cash, bank accounts, or tax refunds.

D.C. allows filers to choose between D.C. exemptions and the federal bankruptcy exemptions. You must use one system or the other — you cannot mix and match between them.