Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Lawsuit in Ohio

Ohio Chapter 7 Exemptions

Ohio is an opt-out state, so an Ohio debtor may not elect the federal Section 522(d) exemptions and must use the Ohio state set (Ohio Rev. Code Section 2329.66). (Source: Nolo, Ohio Bankruptcy Exemptions.)

Homestead, Vehicle, and Wildcard

Ohio's homestead exemption is $182,625 (effective April 1, 2025; CPI-adjusted) under Ohio Rev. Code Section 2329.66(A)(1)(b). A motor vehicle is protected up to $5,025 under Section 2329.66(A)(2), and the wildcard is $1,675 for any property under Section 2329.66(A)(18). Most Ohio dollar amounts are CPI-indexed every three years (last adjusted April 1, 2025; next April 1, 2028). (Source: Nolo, Ohio Bankruptcy Exemptions.)

Means Test: Ohio Median Income

The Chapter 7 means test compares a debtor's six-month average gross income to the state median family income for the household size. For Ohio, the U.S. Trustee median family income for a household of four is $123,702 (U.S. Trustee median family income, eff. April 1, 2026; smaller households use lower figures). Below-median filers are generally not presumed to be abusing Chapter 7; above-median filers complete Form 122A-2. (Source: U.S. Trustee Program, justice.gov/ust.)

Which State's Exemptions Apply

Under the 730-day domicile rule (11 U.S.C. Section 522(b)(3)), a debtor must have been domiciled in Ohio for the 730 days before filing to use Ohio's exemptions; otherwise an earlier state's set or the federal exemptions may apply.

To compare your six-month income against the Ohio median, use the Chapter 7 means test calculator at /tools/chapter-7-means-test-calculator. To estimate what property Ohio exemptions might protect, use the bankruptcy exemption estimator at /tools/bankruptcy-exemption-estimator.

Exemption amounts change — verify current figures with an attorney. People's Justice is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice; we connect you with licensed attorneys, and we are not a government agency.