Tennessee Bankruptcy Exemptions

Homestead consisting of real property used by debtor, his spouse, or a dependent as principal residence

$5,000 for individual debtor $7,500 if jointly owned and both debtors are involved in the proceeding (must be divided equally); $25,000 if debtor has minor children in custody at homestead (See also TCA §§ 26-2-302, 26-2-303).

Tenn. Code Ann. § 26-2-301

Disposable earnings (earnings after deductions required by law)

75% OR 30 times the federal minimum hourly wage per week, WHICHEVER IS GREATER, (Add $2.50 per week for each dependent child of the debtor under age 16 residing in state; TCA § 26-2-207.

Tenn. Code Ann. § 26-2-106

Fraternal benefit society payments

100%

Tenn. Code Ann. § 56-25-1403

Life insurance and annuity contracts benefits payable to spouse, children or dependent of insured

100% (includes cash surrender value)

Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 56-7-203 & 26-2-110(b)

Accident, health and disability insurance benefits

100%

Tenn. Code Ann. § 26-2-110(a)

Insurance proceeds from destroyed exempt homestead

$5,000

Tenn. Code Ann. § 26-2-304

Payments for the wrongful death of debtor or individual of whom debtor was a dependent

$10,000

Tenn. Code Ann. § 26-2-111(2)(C)

Personal injury payments to debtor or individual of whom debtor is a dependent, excluding compensation for pain and suffering and actual pecuniary loss

$7,500

Tenn. Code Ann. § 26-2-111(2)(B)

Necessary wearing apparel of debtor and family and receptacles for holding same, family portraits and pictures, family Bible and school books

100%

Tenn. Code Ann. § 26-2-104

Personal property of state resident(includes money and bank deposits)

$10,000

Tenn. Code Ann. § 26-2-103

Funds recovered in a wrongful death action

100%

Tenn. Code Ann. § 20-5-106(a)

Family cemeteries and burial lots

100% (up to 1 acre)

Tenn. Code Ann. § 26-2-305

Professionally prescribed health aids of debtor and dependents

100%

Tenn. Code Ann. § 26-2-111(5)

Compensation for loss of future earnings of debtor or individual of whom debtor is a dependent

Amount reasonably necessary for support of debtor and dependents

Tenn. Code Ann. § 26-2-111(3)

Retirement benefits--Teachers

100%

Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-5-909

Pension benefits received from state or subdivision or municipality thereof

100%

Tenn. Code Ann. § 26-2-105(a)

Certain payments under stock bonus, pension, profit sharing, annuity or similar plan or contracts (see statute for specifics)

Same as under Tenn. Code Ann. § 26-2-106 above

Tenn. Code Ann. § 26-2-111(1)(D)

State pension moneys and interests in IRC-qualified retirement plans and health savings accounts

100%

Tenn. Code Ann. § 26-2-105

Implements, professional books, or tools of trade of debtor or dependent

$1,900

Tenn. Code Ann. § 26-2-111(4)

Criminal injuries compensation

100%

Tenn. Code Ann. § 29-13-111

Old age assistance payments

100%

Tenn. Code Ann. § 71-2-216

Aid to the disabled

100%

Tenn. Code Ann. § 71-4-1112

Aid to the blind

100%

Tenn. Code Ann. § 71-4-117

Workmen's compensation benefits

100% (support claims excepted)

Tenn. Code Ann. § 50-6-223

Crime victim's reparation law awards

$5,000

Tenn. Code Ann. § 26-2-111(2)(A)

Social security, unemployment, public assistance, veterans, disability or illness benefits

100%

Tenn. Code Ann. § 26-2-111(1)(A), (B), (C)

Tennessee Investment Services Trust

100%

Tenn. Code Ann. § 35-16-104

Beneficiary's interest in a spendthrift trust

100%

Tenn. Code Ann. § 35-15-501, et seq.

Aid to dependent children

100%

Tenn. Code Ann. § 71-3-121

Specific partnership property

100% of partner's interest

Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 61-1-203 and 61-1-501

Liquid assets owed under child support order

100%

Tenn. Code Ann. § 26-2-111(6)

Child support payments due 30 days or more after date of filing

100%

Tenn. Code Ann. § 26-2-111(1)(F)

Alimony due more than 30 days after assertion of claim

100%

Tenn. Code Ann. § 26-2-111(1)(E)

College education savings plans

100%

Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-7-822