Bankruptcy exemptions in Utah: what you can keep

2026: up to $53,700 per person in your primary personal residence (a house or mobile home plus up to 1 acre of land around it). If the property is not your primary residence: up to $6,400 per person.

If the property is jointly owned, each owner can claim the exemption, but the total per household is capped at $107,500 for a primary residence ($12,800 for other property). The amounts are adjusted for inflation every year by the Utah State Auditor and published by January 1. Not available against property-tax liens, mortgages or purchase-money liens, child-support judgments, or other liens you agreed to. Sale proceeds stay exempt for one year. Utah law also has a 'declaration of homestead' that can be recorded with the county recorder or served on the sheriff (78B-5-504).

Law: Utah Code 78B-5-503(1)(c), (2), (3), (5)

One motor vehicle up to $3,000 in value (not a recreational vehicle or off-highway vehicle, except a motorcycle or van you use daily). A vehicle used in your principal business or trade can instead fall under the $5,000 tools-of-trade exemption.

Law: Utah Code 78B-5-506(2), (3)

Fully exempt: one each of clothes washer, dryer, refrigerator, freezer, stove, microwave and sewing machine; all carpets in use; 12 months of food and provisions; all clothing (not jewelry or furs); all beds and bedding; health aids; burial plot. Also up to $1,000 for each of these groups: (a) sofas, chairs and related furnishings; (b) dining and kitchen tables and chairs; (c) animals, books and musical instruments for personal use; (d) heirlooms and sentimental items. Also any three firearms from: one handgun, one shotgun, one shoulder arm, each with up to 1,000 rounds (not curio or relic firearms).

Law: Utah Code 78B-5-505(1)(a), (b), (h), (q); Utah Code 78B-5-506(1)

Up to $5,000 total in tools, implements and professional books used in your principal business, trade or profession (this can include a motor vehicle not exempted elsewhere).

Law: Utah Code 78B-5-506(2)

In bankruptcy, your household's earned but unpaid wages owed on the filing date are exempt up to 1/24 of the Utah annual median family income for your household size if you are paid more often than once a month, or 1/12 of it if you are paid monthly or less often.

Law: Utah Code 78B-5-505(1)(p)

Money in retirement plans and IRAs (401(k), 403(b), 457, traditional and Roth IRAs, pensions), including inherited IRAs, is exempt. But money contributed in the 1 year before you file is not protected under the Utah rule, except direct rollovers from other exempt funds.

Law: Utah Code 78B-5-505(1)(n), (2)

Benefits you or a dependent receive because of disability, illness or unemployment are exempt, as are veterans benefits and medical-care benefits used to pay for that care.

Law: Utah Code 78B-5-505(1)(c), (d), (e)

• Child support you receive is exempt; alimony is exempt as far as it is reasonably needed to support you and your dependents.
• The full part of a federal income tax refund that comes from the earned income tax credit (EITC) or child tax credit is exempt.
• Up to $200,000 total in 529 college savings accounts, for money deposited more than 18 months before you file.
• Personal-injury and wrongful-death compensation, and certain life insurance proceeds and cash value (policy held at least 1 year; payments made in the last year are not protected).

Law: Utah Code 78B-5-505(1)(f), (g); Utah Code 78B-5-505(1)(s); Utah Code 78B-5-505(1)(r); Utah Code 78B-5-505(1)(j)-(m)