👈 Select a state to see exemptions`; tabContent.innerHTML = ''; rateStateName.innerText = 'your state'; rateAmount.innerText = '$0'; return; } const stateName = stateSelect.options[stateSelect.selectedIndex].text; const hourlyRate = hourlyRates[stateCode] || 300; rateStateName.innerText = stateName; rateAmount.innerText = '$' + hourlyRate; rateDisplay.innerText = `Avg lawyer rate: $${hourlyRate}/hr`; let exemptions; if (useFederal) exemptions = federal; else exemptions = stateExemptions[stateCode] || getDefaultStateExemptions(stateCode); // Build tab HTML (simplified for length, same structure but with full data) let html = ''; // real estate html += ``; // retirement html += ``; // benefits html += ``; // personal property html += ``; // farm html += ``; // other html += ``; tabContent.innerHTML = html; stateInfoBox.innerHTML = `${stateName} · ${useFederal ? 'Federal exemptions' : 'State exemptions'}${!useFederal && exemptions.notes ? exemptions.notes : ''}`; } function switchTab(tabId) { document.querySelectorAll('.tab-pane').forEach(p => p.classList.remove('active')); document.querySelectorAll(`[data-tab="${tabId}"]`).forEach(p => p.classList.add('active')); tabBtns.forEach(btn => btn.classList.remove('active')); document.querySelector(`.tab-btn[data-tab="${tabId}"]`).classList.add('active'); } function updateFromSelections() { const state = stateSelect.value; const useFederal = federalSystem.checked; renderAllTabs(state, useFederal); setTimeout(() => switchTab('realestate'), 30); } stateSelect.addEventListener('change', updateFromSelections); stateSystem.addEventListener('change', updateFromSelections); federalSystem.addEventListener('change', updateFromSelections); tabBtns.forEach(btn => btn.addEventListener('click', (e) => switchTab(e.target.getAttribute('data-tab')))); // JSON-LD for FAQ (structured data) const faqScript = document.createElement('script'); faqScript.type = 'application/ld+json'; faqScript.textContent = JSON.stringify({ "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ {"@type":"Question","name":"Can I keep my 401(k) in Chapter 7?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Yes, 401(k)s and most retirement plans are fully protected by federal law."}}, {"@type":"Question","name":"What is the federal homestead exemption for 2026?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"$27,875 per debtor, plus unused portion up to $13,975."}}, {"@type":"Question","name":"Are Social Security benefits exempt?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Yes, Social Security and all public benefits are fully exempt."}}, {"@type":"Question","name":"Can I choose between state and federal exemptions?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"About half the states allow you to choose; others require state exemptions. Use our tool to see your state's rules."}} ] }); document.head.appendChild(faqScript); { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type": "Question", "name": "Can I keep my 401(k) if I file Chapter 7 bankruptcy?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Yes, 401(k)s and other qualified retirement plans (ERISA) are fully protected in bankruptcy by federal law. Traditional and Roth IRAs are also protected up to approximately $1.5 million (adjusted for inflation in 2025)." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What is the difference between state and federal bankruptcy exemptions?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Federal exemptions provide a uniform set of dollar limits (e.g., homestead $27,875, vehicle $4,650). State exemptions vary widely—some states like Texas and Florida offer unlimited homestead protection, while others have low caps. About half the states allow you to choose between the two systems; the rest require you to use state exemptions." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Are Social Security benefits protected in Chapter 7?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Absolutely. Social Security retirement, disability (SSDI), and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are fully exempt under federal law. Unemployment benefits, veterans benefits, and public assistance (TANF, SNAP) are also completely protected. However, you must be able to trace these funds in bank accounts." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What is the homestead exemption for 2025?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Under the federal bankruptcy exemption system, the homestead exemption is $27,875 per debtor in 2025. You can also use up to $13,975 of unused homestead exemption to protect other property (wildcard). State homestead exemptions vary dramatically—from unlimited in Texas, Florida, and Iowa to as low as $10,000 in some states." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Can I choose between state and federal exemptions in my state?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "It depends on your state. Approximately 30 states allow you to choose either the state or federal exemption system (including California, New York, Texas, Florida). The remaining states require you to use their specific state exemptions (including Pennsylvania, Virginia, Ohio). Use the selector above to see what applies in your state." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What happens if my property is worth more than the exemption limit?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "If your asset exceeds the exemption amount, the bankruptcy trustee may sell the non-exempt portion and distribute the proceeds to creditors. However, you may be able to: (1) use a wildcard exemption to cover the excess, (2) negotiate to pay the trustee the non-exempt amount to keep the asset, or (3) convert non-exempt assets to exempt assets before filing (with caution to avoid fraud)." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Are IRAs protected in Chapter 7 bankruptcy?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Yes, IRAs (both Traditional and Roth) are protected under federal bankruptcy law up to $1,512,350 per person in 2025. This limit is adjusted every three years for inflation. SEP IRAs and SIMPLE IRAs are treated as IRAs for exemption purposes. Many states also offer unlimited IRA protection beyond the federal cap." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What personal property can I keep in Chapter 7?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Under federal exemptions, you can keep: household goods up to $1,850 per item ($13,975 total), clothing (unlimited reasonably necessary), jewelry up to $1,950, tools of your trade up to $3,150, and health aids (unlimited). State exemptions vary significantly—for example, Kansas offers $20,000 total for personal property, while Alabama caps it at $3,000." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Does bankruptcy protect farm equipment and livestock?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Yes, but limits vary. Federal exemptions protect farm equipment under 'tools of trade' up to $3,150. Many agricultural states have much higher farm exemptions: Iowa protects farm equipment and livestock up to $10,000, Kansas up to $20,000, and Texas offers unlimited protection for farm equipment as part of rural homestead. Some states also protect growing crops separately." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How long do I have to file bankruptcy after moving to a new state?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "To use your new state's exemptions, you generally must have lived there for at least 730 days (2 years) before filing. If you haven't met that requirement, you may be limited to the exemptions of the state where you lived for the majority of the 180-day period before that 2-year period. This is complex—consult a local attorney." } } ] }