Last updated September 18, 2026
Short answer
Alabama debtors generally claim exemptions under Title 6, Chapter 10, not 11 U.S.C. § 522(d). Homestead and personal-property statutes are the core. Some federal exclusions still apply. Amounts change—read the current Code section rather than a reprinted figure.
Exemptions decide what a Chapter 7 trustee can reach and what Chapter 13 must account for as non-exempt value. Mis-claiming exemptions, or using another state’s list, is a serious error. This page maps the system. Child pages cover homestead and vehicles. We do not paste dollar figures that will rot.
How to use this with Chapter 7 vs 13
If non-exempt equity is small, Chapter 7 may still work. If a car or house has equity above the Alabama cap, Chapter 13 may be needed to pay the non-exempt portion over time. See property hub.
How Brock & Stout can help
We inventory assets, apply current Alabama statutes, and choose a chapter that matches the exemption math. We do not guarantee the trustee will accept values or that every item will be fully exempt.
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Frequently asked questions
Whatever the Alabama exemption statutes and any applicable federal exclusions cover, up to their limits, if properly claimed. There is no “you keep everything” rule.
Related resources
- Alabama Bankruptcy: Exemptions, Courts, and What to Expect — Alabama Bankruptcy: Exemptions, Courts, and What to Expect
You file a federal Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 case. You generally claim Alabama exemptions, not the federal list. Which district you use depends on where you live. Garnishments and foreclosures follow Alabama procedure until the automatic stay applies.
- Alabama Homestead Exemption — Alabama Homestead Exemption
Alabama protects a qualifying homestead up to the limits in § 6-10-2 and related sections. A mortgage still has to be paid or cured. A judgment lien that impairs the homestead may be avoidable under federal § 522(f). Rural vs. city acreage rules are in the statute—read it.
- Alabama Vehicle Exemption in Bankruptcy — Alabama Vehicle Exemption in Bankruptcy
Unlike Georgia, Alabama’s main tool for a car is the personal-property exemption in § 6-10-6 (and any other specific Alabama provisions that apply). Equity above what you can claim may be exposed in Chapter 7 or paid in Chapter 13. The loan is a separate problem.
- What Property Can You Keep in Bankruptcy? — What Property Can You Keep in Bankruptcy?
Filing creates a bankruptcy estate, but exemptions can protect property you need. Alabama and Georgia generally require state exemptions rather than the federal list. Whether you keep a house or car also depends on the loan, equity, and which chapter you file.
Not sure whether Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 fits?
We can review your debts, assets, and goals and explain options that may be available under current law.
This page is general educational information about bankruptcy as of the date shown. It is not legal advice, does not create an attorney-client relationship, and does not guarantee results. Outcomes depend on individual facts and current federal and state law. We are a debt relief agency. We help people file for bankruptcy relief under the Bankruptcy Code.
