Missouri Bankruptcy Guide

Complete guide to filing bankruptcy in Missouri, including current median income requirements, Missouri's homestead exemption up to $15,000, choice between state and federal exemptions, bankruptcy court information for both Missouri districts, and how to find qualified bankruptcy attorneys throughout Missouri.

Missouri Median Income for Bankruptcy (2026)

To qualify for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Missouri, your household income must be below these median income levels. If your income exceeds these amounts, you may still qualify through the means test or need to file Chapter 13 instead.

Household Size	Annual Median Income	Monthly Median Income
1 person	$55,039	$4,587
2 people	$70,854	$5,905
3 people	$79,713	$6,643
4 people	$95,939	$7,995
5 people	$104,939	$8,745
6 people	$113,939	$9,495

Note: For households larger than 4, add $9,000 per additional person. These figures are updated annually by the U.S. Trustee Program.

Calculate Your Missouri Eligibility

Missouri Bankruptcy Exemptions

Missouri allows bankruptcy filers to choose between Missouri state exemptions and the federal bankruptcy exemptions. This choice is particularly important in Missouri because the state homestead exemption is quite low, making federal exemptions often the better choice.

Missouri Homestead Exemption

Up to $15,000.

Missouri's state homestead exemption protects up to $15,000 of equity in your primary residence. This is one of the lower homestead exemptions in the country. The exemption applies to real property including houses, condominiums, mobile homes, and co-ops that serve as your principal residence.

The property must be your principal residence at the time of filing bankruptcy. Missouri's homestead exemption is per household, meaning married couples filing jointly still only get $15,000 total protection (not $30,000).

Federal Exemption Alternative: Missouri filers can instead choose the federal homestead exemption of $27,900 ($55,800 for married couples filing jointly), which is significantly higher than Missouri's state exemption. For most Missouri homeowners, the federal exemptions provide better homestead protection.

Missouri Vehicle Exemption

Up to $3,000.

Missouri allows you to protect up to $3,000 of equity in one motor vehicle under state exemptions. This exemption is available to each filer, so a married couple filing jointly can protect two vehicles.

Federal Exemption Alternative: The federal vehicle exemption is $4,450, which is higher than Missouri's $3,000 state exemption. The federal exemptions also offer a wildcard that can be applied to vehicles.

Missouri State Exemptions

Missouri bankruptcy exemptions include:

• Homestead: $15,000 per household
• Vehicle: $3,000 per person
• Household Goods and Furnishings: $3,000
• Clothing: $1,500
• Jewelry: $1,500
• Appliances: $3,000
• Books: $1,500
• Burial Grounds: Unlimited
• Tools of Trade: $3,000
• Wildcard: $600 of any property (plus $1,250 of any personal property if head of family)
• Wages: 75% of earned but unpaid wages (or 30 times federal minimum wage per week, whichever is greater)

Federal Exemptions (Alternative Choice)

Missouri filers may choose federal exemptions instead:

• Homestead: $27,900 ($55,800 for married couples)
• Vehicle: $4,450
• Household Goods: $700 per item, up to $14,875 total
• Jewelry: $1,875
• Tools of Trade: $2,800
• Wildcard: $1,475 general + up to $13,950 of unused homestead (total $15,425)

Which Exemptions Should You Choose?

Choose Missouri state exemptions if:

• You have little or no home equity and want to protect appliances (Missouri allows $3,000)
• You have valuable burial grounds to protect (Missouri allows unlimited)
• You have minimal assets and want to strategically allocate Missouri's specific exemptions

Choose federal exemptions if:

• You have ANY home equity (federal $27,900/$55,800 vs Missouri $15,000)
• You have more than $3,000 vehicle equity (federal allows $4,450)
• You have significant household goods (federal $14,875 vs Missouri $3,000)
• You want the larger federal wildcard ($15,425 total)

In Missouri, most filers choose federal exemptions because they provide significantly better protection, especially for homeowners.

Other Protected Assets

• Retirement Accounts: Fully protected including 401(k), IRA, pension plans, and government retirement benefits under federal law
• Public Benefits: Social Security, unemployment, workers' compensation, veteran's benefits, disability benefits, public assistance
• Life Insurance: Life insurance proceeds to extent reasonably necessary for support; unmatured life insurance policies
• Health Aids: All health aids
• Education Savings: Missouri 529 education savings plan (MOST - Missouri's 529 Plan)
• Personal Injury Awards: Personal injury recoveries to extent reasonably necessary for support
• Wrongful Death Awards: Wrongful death recoveries

Filing Bankruptcy in Missouri

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy in Missouri

Chapter 7 bankruptcy is commonly filed throughout Missouri. The process typically takes 3-4 months from filing to discharge and eliminates most unsecured debts including credit cards, medical bills, personal loans, and past-due utility bills.

To qualify for Chapter 7 in Missouri, you must pass the means test by having income below the Missouri median or by showing that after allowable expense deductions, you lack sufficient disposable income to fund a Chapter 13 repayment plan. You must also complete credit counseling from an approved agency within 180 days before filing.

Missouri's choice between state and federal exemptions gives you flexibility. Most Missouri homeowners benefit from choosing federal exemptions due to the higher homestead exemption. Work with a Missouri bankruptcy attorney to determine which exemption set protects your assets better.

Learn more about Chapter 7 bankruptcy →

Chapter 13 Bankruptcy in Missouri

Chapter 13 bankruptcy allows Missouri residents to keep property while repaying some or all debts through a court-approved 3-5 year payment plan. This option is particularly beneficial if you're behind on mortgage or car payments and want to catch up while stopping foreclosure or repossession.

Chapter 13 is especially useful in Missouri if your income is too high to qualify for Chapter 7, if you have non-exempt assets you want to protect (particularly if you have more home equity than your chosen exemptions allow), or if you have priority debts like recent taxes or past-due child support. Your monthly payment is based on your disposable income after allowable living expenses.

Learn more about Chapter 13 bankruptcy →

Bankruptcy Courts in Missouri

Missouri is divided into two federal bankruptcy court districts:

Eastern District of Missouri

Main Courthouses: St. Louis, Cape Girardeau, Hannibal

Covers eastern Missouri including St. Louis, St. Louis County, St. Charles, Columbia, Jefferson City, and the eastern portion of the state. This is the larger district by case volume, with the St. Louis metropolitan area generating most filings.

Court divisions: Eastern Division (St. Louis metro area), Northern Division (Hannibal area), and Southeastern Division (Cape Girardeau area).

Western District of Missouri

Main Courthouses: Kansas City, Springfield, Jefferson City, St. Joseph

Covers western Missouri including Kansas City, Springfield, Columbia, St. Joseph, Joplin, and the western portion of the state. Kansas City is the largest city in this district and handles a high volume of bankruptcy cases.

Court divisions: Western Division (Kansas City metro area), Southern Division (Springfield area), Central Division (Jefferson City area), and St. Joseph Division (northwestern Missouri).

You must file in the district where you have lived for the greater part of the 180 days before filing. Visit the U.S. Courts website for specific court locations, filing procedures, and local rules for each Missouri district.

Missouri Residency Requirements

To use Missouri bankruptcy exemptions (either state or federal), you must have been domiciled (legally residing) in Missouri for at least 730 days (2 years) before filing. If you've lived in Missouri for less than 2 years, you must use the exemptions from the state where you lived for the 180 days immediately before the 2-year period.

Missouri allows you to choose between state and federal exemptions once you meet the residency requirement. This choice is made at the time of filing and cannot be changed later, so careful analysis with an attorney is important.

Find a Missouri Bankruptcy Attorney

Most Missouri bankruptcy attorneys offer free initial consultations. Given the complexity of bankruptcy law and Missouri's choice between state and federal exemptions, consulting with an experienced Missouri bankruptcy attorney is highly recommended.

What a Missouri Bankruptcy Attorney Can Do

• Determine which bankruptcy chapter is right for your financial situation
• Compare Missouri state vs. federal exemptions to maximize asset protection
• Calculate whether you qualify for Chapter 7 using the Missouri means test
• Navigate Missouri-specific bankruptcy procedures and local court rules
• Complete and file all required bankruptcy paperwork correctly
• Represent you at the 341 meeting of creditors
• Handle any objections from creditors or the bankruptcy trustee
• Guide you through the entire process from filing to discharge

Cost of Filing Bankruptcy in Missouri

Chapter 7 bankruptcy attorney fees in Missouri vary by location:

• Kansas City metro area: $1,100 to $1,600 plus $338 filing fee
• St. Louis metro area: $1,100 to $1,600 plus $338 filing fee
• Springfield area: $950 to $1,400 plus $338 filing fee
• Columbia, Jefferson City: $900 to $1,400 plus $338 filing fee
• Other Missouri cities and rural areas: $800 to $1,300 plus $338 filing fee

Chapter 13 attorney fees typically range from $2,800 to $4,000 plus a $313 filing fee. In Chapter 13, attorney fees are usually paid through your repayment plan rather than upfront.

Many Missouri attorneys offer payment plans for Chapter 7 to make bankruptcy more accessible.

Missouri-Specific Bankruptcy FAQs

Can I keep my house in Missouri bankruptcy?

It depends on your equity and which exemptions you choose. Missouri's state homestead exemption of $15,000 is quite low. Most Missouri homeowners choose federal exemptions, which protect $27,900 (single) or $55,800 (married filing jointly). If your equity is within these limits, your home is protected. If your equity exceeds your chosen exemption, you may need to file Chapter 13 to keep your home.

Can I keep my car in Missouri bankruptcy?

Yes, in most cases. Missouri state exemptions allow $3,000 per vehicle, while federal exemptions allow $4,450 plus potential wildcard. Most Missouri residents with car loans have equity below these amounts and can keep their vehicles by continuing to make payments through a reaffirmation agreement.

Should I choose state or federal exemptions in Missouri?

Most Missouri filers choose federal exemptions. The federal homestead of $27,900/$55,800 is far better than Missouri's $15,000. The federal wildcard of up to $15,425 is also more valuable than Missouri's limited wildcard. Missouri state exemptions are rarely advantageous unless you have unusual assets like valuable burial grounds or minimal home equity with specific personal property needs. An attorney can help analyze your situation.

How does bankruptcy affect farm property in Missouri?

Missouri has significant agricultural areas. Farm property that serves as your principal residence qualifies for the homestead exemption. Farm equipment and livestock may be protected as tools of trade (Missouri $3,000 or federal $2,800) or household goods/personal property. Missouri farmers often need Chapter 13 to reorganize farm debts while keeping farming operations intact. Consult a Missouri bankruptcy attorney experienced with agricultural bankruptcies.

What if I live in Kansas City but work in Kansas?

If you live in Missouri (including Kansas City, Missouri), you file bankruptcy in Missouri regardless of where you work. Many Missouri residents work across state lines in Kansas. Your work location doesn't affect which state's exemptions you use—only your residence matters. You must have lived in Missouri for 730 days to use Missouri exemptions (state or federal).

Can I keep my boat or recreational vehicle in Missouri bankruptcy?

Boats and RVs are personal property that can be protected using Missouri exemptions (household goods, personal property, or wildcard) or federal exemptions (unused homestead wildcard). The value after subtracting any loans counts against exemption limits. Missouri has many Lake of the Ozarks residents and recreational vehicle owners. If the equity exceeds exemptions, you may need to surrender the asset, pay the trustee for the non-exempt value, or file Chapter 13.

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