North Dakota Bankruptcy Exemptions

North Dakota is an opt-out state, meaning most bankruptcy filers in ND use **North Dakota**-specific exemptions, although certain federal protections (e.g., Social Security, ERISA retirement) still apply. Below is a summary of common ND exemptions from your list. Always consult a licensed North Dakota bankruptcy attorneyor the **official ND Century Code** for the most up-to-date amounts and interpretations.

Asset / Type of PropertyExemption DescriptionAmount / LimitsLaw Section / Notes
HomesteadReal property, house trailer, or mobile home used as primary residence.Up to \$80,000 in equity.N.D.C.C. §§ 28-22-02(10), 47-18-01
Fraternal Benefit Society BenefitsFully exempt from creditors.No limit statedN.D.C.C. § 26.1-15.1-18
Life Insurance Proceeds Payable to Estate (No Specific Beneficiary)Proceeds are exempt from creditors if not payable to a named beneficiary.Fully exemptN.D.C.C. § 26.1-33-40
Life Insurance Surrender ValueUp to \$100,000 per policy if beneficiary is insured’s relative & policy owned 1+ years before filing. No limit if more needed for support. Combined with certain ERISA/IRAs under 28-22-03.1, total can’t exceed \$200,000 unless more needed for support.\$100,000 per policy (standard), total limit \$200,000 across multiple policies unless needed for support.N.D.C.C. § 28-22-03.1(3)
Property of Business PartnershipExempt from an individual partner’s creditors.Fully exemptN.D.C.C. § 45-08-02
Disabled Veterans’ BenefitsExempt, except for regular military retirement pay.Fully exemptN.D.C.C. § 28-22-03.1(4)(d)
ERISA-Qualified BenefitsUp to \$100,000 per plan, no limit if more needed for support. Combined with certain life insurance under 28-22-03.1, total can’t exceed \$200,000 unless necessary.\$100,000 standard, total \$200,000 combined with certain insurancesN.D.C.C. § 28-22-03.1(3)
IRAsUp to \$100,000 per plan, no limit if more needed for support. Combined total \$200,000 with certain other exempt benefits.\$100,000 each (standard)N.D.C.C. § 28-22-03.1(3)
Keogh PlansSimilarly up to \$100,000 per plan, no limit if more needed for support, subject to the \$200,000 combined limit.\$100,000 each (standard)N.D.C.C. § 28-22-03.1(3)
Public EmployeesND public employees’ pensions/retirements are exempt.Fully exemptN.D.C.C. § 28-22-19(1)
Bible, Books (Up to \$100), Pictures, ClothingBasic personal possessions may be exempt.Various sub-limitsN.D.C.C. §§ 28-22-02(1), (4), (5)
Burial Plots, Church PewFully exempt from creditors.No stated limitN.D.C.C. §§ 28-22-02(2), (3)
Cash (In Lieu of Homestead)You may exempt up to \$7,500 in cash if not claiming a homestead.\$7,500N.D.C.C. § 28-22-03.1(1)
Crops or Grain on Debtor’s 160-acre TractExempt if raised on up to 160 acres.No set dollar limitN.D.C.C. § 28-22-02(8)
Food & Fuel for 1 YearExempt supply for family.No stated limitN.D.C.C. § 28-22-02(6)
Motor VehicleEquity up to \$1,200 in one vehicle.\$1,200N.D.C.C. § 28-22-03.1(2)
Personal Injury RecoveriesUp to \$7,500 for bodily injury (excl. pain & suffering).\$7,500N.D.C.C. § 28-22-03.1(4)(b)
Wrongful Death RecoveriesUp to \$7,500 if you depended on the deceased.\$7,500N.D.C.C. § 28-22-03.1(4)(a)
Head of Household (Not Claiming Crops)May claim \$5,000 of any personal property, or certain itemized categories: Books & musical instruments (\$1,500), furniture/bedding (\$1,000), library/tools of professional (\$1,000), livestock/farm implements (\$4,500), mechanic’s tools/stock (\$1,000).\$5,000 any property or itemized sub-limitsN.D.C.C. §§ 28-22-03, 28-22-04(1)-(4), 28-22-05
Non-Head of Household (Not Claiming Crops)May claim \$2,500 of any personal property.\$2,500 totalN.D.C.C. § 28-22-05
AFDCFully exempt from creditors.No limitN.D.C.C. § 28-22-19(3)
Crime Victims’ CompensationPayments to victims are exempt.No limitN.D.C.C. § 28-22-19(2)
Social SecurityFederal law plus ND exemption.Fully exemptN.D.C.C. § 28-22-03.1(4)(c)
Unemployment CompensationFully exempt from garnishment.No limitN.D.C.C. § 52-06-30
Vietnam Veterans’ Adjustment CompensationND law references these benefits as exempt.Fully exemptN.D.C.C. § 37-25-07
Workers’ CompensationBenefits from ND workers’ comp are exempt.Fully exemptN.D.C.C. § 65-05-29
Tools of TradeSee personal property categories--N/A
WagesMinimum 75% of earned but unpaid wages exempt; judge may allow more for low-income.At least 75%N.D.C.C. § 32-09.1-03
Wild CardAccording to the list, ND does not specify a separate wildcard beyond personal property sub-limits (e.g. \$2,500 for non-head, \$5,000 for head).Refer to personal property sectionsN/A

Disclaimer

This overview is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Exemptions can be updated by legislative action or court interpretation. Always consult a licensed North Dakota bankruptcy attorney or the official statutes for the most accurate, up-to-date amounts, especially regarding the combined \$200,000 life insurance/retirement limitations or sub-limits for head of household.