Collection Laws and Exemptions by State
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Collection Laws & Exemptions by State
Below find consumer protection laws and exemptions by state. Use this information as a starting point for your research - it is not legal advice. Consult an attorney for legal advice specific to your situation.
State | FDCPA Applies to Original Creditors | Homestead Exemption | Vehicle Exemption | Bank Account | Wages | |
| Alabama | N/A | $5,000 (can double) | None | $3,000 | 75% | |
| Alaska | N/A | $70,200 | $3,900 | $1,820 or $2,860 | $456-716 | |
| Arizona | N/A | $150,000 | $5,000 | $150 | 75% | |
| Arkansas | N/A | Unlimited (<1/4 acre) | $1,200 | $800 or $1250 | 75% | |
| California | Yes | $50,000 | $5,000 (2x) | $0 | 75% | |
| Colorado | N/A | $30,000 | $5,000 | None | 75% | |
| Connecticut | N/A | $75,000 (2x if married) | $1,500 | $1,000 | 75% | |
| Delaware | N/A | None (if both owe $) | None | $500 | 85% | |
| D.C. | Yes | Unlimited | $2,575 | $850 | 75% | |
| Florida | Yes | Unlimited | $1,000 | None | 100% | |
| Georgia | N/A | $10,000 (can double) | $3,500 (2x) | $600 | 75% | |
| Hawaii | Yes | $30,000 | $2,575 | None | 80% | |
| Idaho | N/A | $50,000 | $5,000 | $800 | 75% | |
| Illinois | N/A | $15,000 (can double) | $1,200 | $2,000 | 85% | |
| Indiana | N/A | $7500 (can double) | None | $4,000 | 75% | |
| Iowa | Yes | Unlimited | $5,000 | $100 | 75% | |
| Kansas | N/A | Unlimited | $20,000 | None | 75% | |
| Kentucky | N/A | $5,000 | $2,500 | $1,000 | 75% | |
| Louisiana | N/A | $25,000 | None | None | 75% | |
| Maine | N/A | $25,000 (ask) | $5,000 | $400 | 75% | |
| Maryland | Yes | None (if both owe $) | $5,000 | $6,000 | 75% | |
| Massachusetts | Yes | $300,000 | $700 | $425 | 75% | |
| Michigan | Yes | $35,300 or $52,925 if elderly or disabled | $3,250 | None | 75% | |
| Minnesota | N/A | $200,000 | $3,600 | None | 75% | |
| Mississippi | N/A | $75,000 | $10,000 | None | 75% | |
| Missouri | N/A | $8,000 | $1,000 | $1,250 | 75% | |
| Montana | N/A | $60,000 | $2,500 | None | 75% | |
| Nebraska | N/A | $12,500 | $2,500 wildcard | None | 85% | |
| Nevada | N/A | $125,000 | $4,500 | None | 75% | |
| New Hampshire | Yes | $30,000 | $4,000 | $8,000 | 75% | |
| New Jersey | N/A | None (if both owe $) | $1,000 | $1,000 | 90% | |
| New Mexico | Yes | $30,000 (may double) | $4,000 | $2,000 | 75% | |
| New York | Yes | Varies by county See CVP § 5206 | $4,000 | $2,500 | 90% | |
| North Carolina | Yes | $10,000 (may double) | $1,500 | $500 | 100% | |
| North Dakota | N/A | $80,000 | $1,200 | $7,500 | 75% | |
| Ohio | N/A | $25,000 | $3,225 | $425 (2x) | 75% | |
| Oklahoma | N/A | Unlimited | $3,000 | None | 75% | |
| Oregon | Yes | $25,000 ($30K couple) | $1,700 (2x) | $400 | 75% | |
| Pennsylvania | Yes | None (if both owe $) | None | $300 | 100% | |
| Rhode Island | N/A | $150,000 | $10,000 | None | 75% | |
| South Carolina | Yes | $50,000 (can double) | $5,000 | $5,000 | 100% | |
| South Dakota | N/A | Unlimited | $6,000 | 6k-Auto | 75% | |
| Tennessee | N/A | $5,000 ($7.5K cpl) | $4,000 wildcard | None | 75% | |
| Texas | Yes | Unlimited | Unlimited | None | 100% | |
| Utah | N/A | $20,000 (can double) | $2,500 or $3,500 | None | 75% | |
| Vermont | Yes | $75,000 (can double) | $2,500 | $1,100 | 75% | |
| Virginia | N/A | $5,000 (+$500/kid 2x) | $2,000 | None | 75% | |
| Washington | N/A | $40,000 | $2,500 | $500 | 75% | |
| West Virginia | Yes | $25,000 (can double) | $2,400 | $800+ | 75% | |
| Wisconsin | Yes | $40,000 | $1,200+ | $1,000 | 75% | |
| Wyoming | N/A | $10,000 (can double) | $2,400 | None | 75% | |
Notes:
- Alaska: $716/wk (head of family) or $456/wk (non-head of family)
- Florida: 100% (head of family only) or 75% for non-head of household
- Iowa: 75%, but yearly total limited
- California: $50k (single), $75k (married), $125K (65 or disabled)
- Delaware: 85% of disposable
- Illinois: 85% of gross
- New Jersey: 90% of gross, unless judgment-debtor earns more that 250% of federal poverty level, then court has discretion to use federal 25% exemption.
- New York: Account contains directly deposited exempt benefits, including Social Security, SSI, Veterans benefits, disability, pensions, child support, spousal maintenance, workers compensation, unemployment insurance, Public Assistance, Railroad Retirement benefits, and Black Lung benefits. Otherwise, $1,740 on all other accounts. See the New York LawHelp Consortium for more information.
- Tennessee: Up to $4,000 of any personal property, including a financial account, can be exempted. See Tennessee § 26-2-103 for details.