| ASSET | EXEMPTION DESCRIPTION | LAW | IMPORTANT CASES & NOTES |
| Homestead | $120,000 of home equity per debtor. No more than 2 lots in City or Village, 160 acres farmland. Sales proceeds protected for 6 months. | §40-101, 40-111, 40-113 | Must reside in the home on the date the bankruptcy is filed to claim exemption. |
| Life Insurance & Annuity Contracts | Life insurance or annuity contract proceeds to $100,000 | §44-371 | Exemption only applies to cash values accrued more than 3 years prior to filing bankruptcy. |
| Fraternal benefit society benefits of up to $100,000 | §44-1089 | ||
| Retirement/Pension | Stock, Pension, or Similar Plan or Contract. | §25-1563.01 | Limited to an amount “reasonably necessary” for the support of the debtor. |
| Tax Exempt Retirement Accounts | 11 U.S.C. §522 | In re Euse (2011) Nebraska debtors qualify for the federal exemption of tax deferred retirement accounts in addition to §25-1563.01. | |
| County Employees | §23-2322 | ||
| Military Disability Benefits to $2,000 | §25-1559 | ||
| School Employees | §79-948 | ||
| State Employees | §84-1324 | ||
| State Patrolmen | §81-2032 | ||
| Judges | §24-710.02 | ||
| Burial Plot | §12-517 | ||
| Crypts, lots, tombs, niches & vaults | §12-605 | ||
| Perpetual Care Funds | §12-511 | ||
| Immediate Personal Possessions | Typically used to protect wedding rings, family photos, jewelry. | §25-1556((1)(a) | |
| Clothing | §25-1556(1)(b) | ||
| Health Aids | Professionally prescribed health aids | §25-1556(1)(f) | Does this cover a wheel-chair van? It has been used this way but there is no case on point. |
| Motor Vehicle | $5,970 per debtor | This exemption is commonly combined with the “Wildcard” exemption of §25-1552 to protect up to $11,940 of equity in vehicle. Temporarily unemployed debtor seeking work eligible for exemption. In re Quintero. | |
| Household Goods & Furniture | $3,582 per debtor in household furnishings, household goods, household computers, household appliances, books, or musical instruments |
§25-1556(1)(c) |
Indexed to inflation. Updated every five years. |
| Public Benefits | Aid to Disabled, Blind, Aged and Aid to Dependent Children | §68-1013 | |
| Workers Compensation Benefits | §48-149 | ||
| Unemployment Compensation | §48-647 | ||
| Social Security Benefits | 11 U.S.C. §407 | In re Carpenter | |
| Tools of the Trade | $5,970 per debtor for tools used in trade, other than a motor vehicle | §25-1556(1)(d) |
Indexed to Inflation. Updated every 5 years. |
| Wages | 85% of wages or pension payment for Head of Household or 75% for all others. | §25-1558 | |
| Health Savings Accounts (HSA) | Protection up to $25,000 except for judgments for qualified medical expenses | §-8-1,131 | |
| Personal Property |
Wildcard Exemption. Protects up to $5,970 per debtor of any personal property, including vehicles, bank accounts, etc. This exemption is indexed to inflation and is updated every five years: Revenue Ruling 2023-1 |
§25-1552 |
This exemption is commonly combined with the motor vehicle exemption of §25-1556 to protect up to $11,940 of equity in vehicle. Protects cash, bank account deposits, tax refunds and any other personal property. Exemption may be used to take back garnishments incurred within 90 days of bankruptcy that exceed $600. |
| Tax Refunds |
$5,970 per debtor. Earned Income Credit |
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| College Savings Accounts | Education IRA Accounts§529 College Savings Plans | 11.U.S.C. §541(b)(5) & (6) | Protects funds deposited into a qualified college savings account more than one year prior to bankruptcy. |