Bankruptcy Law in Maryland                                              

What it means in Maryland:
Bankruptcy in Maryland follows federal bankruptcy law, but Maryland law determines which state exemptions are available to protect a filer’s property.

Key points:

• Cases are filed in U.S. Bankruptcy Court – District of Maryland
• Maryland residents are generally required to use Maryland state bankruptcy exemptions
• Federal bankruptcy exemptions are not available to most Maryland filers
• State exemptions apply in both Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 cases

Maryland-specific considerations:

• Maryland provides a homestead exemption that protects limited equity in a primary residence
• Personal property exemptions cover household goods, vehicles, and certain personal items
• Maryland offers a wildcard exemption that may be applied to various property types
• Retirement accounts are generally protected under federal and state law
• Exemption planning plays an important role due to Maryland’s exemption limits