{"id":286863,"date":"2021-04-19T13:04:48","date_gmt":"2021-04-19T18:04:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ability-fl-prod.internetbrands.com\/ability-law\/bankruptcy\/bankruptcy-laws-by-state\/new-hampshire-bankruptcy-exemptions-and-law.html"},"modified":"2026-08-17T11:52:31","modified_gmt":"2026-08-17T16:52:31","slug":"new-hampshire-bankruptcy-exemptions-and-law","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/bankruptcy\/bankruptcy-laws-by-state\/new-hampshire-bankruptcy-exemptions-and-law.html","title":{"rendered":"New Hampshire Bankruptcy Exemptions and Law"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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New Hampshire Bankruptcy Exemptions and Law<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Christie Nicholson, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Catherine Hodder, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

New Hampshire<\/span> bankruptcy<\/span> exemptions<\/span> allow individuals and businesses facing overwhelming debt to liquidate non-exempt assets or establish a structured repayment plan<\/span>. Filers can protect key property like their home or vehicle by choosing between federal protections or generous state-specific exemptions.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

If you live in New Hampshire<\/span> and are drowning in debt, bankruptcy can protect you from creditors. Filing for bankruptcy\u00a0offers you the option of either ridding yourself of overwhelming debt or getting a\u00a0fresh start<\/span>\u00a0through a repayment plan<\/span>. For those worried about losing their assets in bankruptcy, New Hampshire<\/span> has state laws that can help protect some of the things that really matter.<\/p>\n

New Hampshire<\/span> Bankruptcy<\/span> Law<\/span><\/h2>\n

The U.S. Bankruptcy Code<\/span><\/a> governs all bankruptcy cases<\/span>, regardless of where they are filed. However, states can offer debtors more protection than federal\u00a0bankruptcy laws<\/span> provide.<\/p>\n

Every state offers debtors bankruptcy exemptions they can use to protect their assets in a Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 <\/span>bankruptcy<\/span> case<\/span><\/a>. Compared to other states, New Hampshire<\/span>\u2019s exemptions are generous. For example, New Hampshire<\/span> law allows you to protect up to $550,000 of the equity in your home, depending on whether you file an individual or joint bankruptcy.<\/p>\n

In addition to the homestead exemption, New Hampshire<\/span> law provides debtors with other bankruptcy exemptions that help protect real estate and personal property. The automatic stay<\/span><\/a> in bankruptcy also prohibits your creditors from taking action against you.<\/p>\n

This article examines and explains New Hampshire<\/span>\u2019s bankruptcy laws<\/span><\/a>, including the state bankruptcy exemptions. It also shows how to claim these exemptions and protect your property. If you\u2019re considering filing bankruptcy<\/span>, consider speaking with an experienced <\/span>bankruptcy attorney<\/span> in New Hampshire<\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n

New Hampshire<\/span> Is a Dual Choice State<\/h2>\n

Just as there are state bankruptcy exemptions, there are also federal exemptions. In about half the states (dual-choice states), debtors can choose between the federal exemptions and their state\u2019s exemptions. In the other states (opt-out states), people are limited to their state bankruptcy exemptions.<\/p>\n

New Hampshire<\/span> is a dual-choice state, which means you can choose between the federal exemptions<\/a> provided in the Bankruptcy Code<\/span> and the New Hampshire<\/span> state exemptions. If you\u2019re unsure of which option to choose, a New Hampshire<\/span> bankruptcy<\/span> lawyer<\/span><\/a> can help you decide which set of exemptions is better for your financial situation.<\/p>\n

The exemption system you choose will depend on several factors, such as:<\/p>\n