State of Massachusetts Economy:

Education, technological research and development and tourism remain the largest industries in the state.

Location of Massachusetts Bankruptcy Courts:

Boston

United States Bankruptcy Court
John W. McCormack Post Office and Court House
5 Post Office Square, Suite 1150
Boston, MA 02109-3945

Worcester

United States Bankruptcy Court
Donohue Federal Building
595 Main Street, Room 311
Worcester, MA 01608-2076

Springfield

United States Bankruptcy Court
United States Courthouse
300 State Street
Springfield, MA 01105

Massachusetts State Bankruptcy Exemptions:

research and development and tourism remain the largest industries in the state.

⦁ Cemeteries and burial property. (Mass. Ann. Laws ch. 235, § 34.)
⦁ Displacement benefits. Moving expenses if you must move due to eminent domain. (Mass. Ann. Laws ch. 79, § 6A.)
⦁ Fraternal Benefit Society benefits. (Mass. Ann. Laws ch. 176, § 22.)
⦁ Homestead or residential property. Debtors who file a “Declaration of Homestead” with the Registry of Deeds can exempt up to $500,000; otherwise, the exemption is $125,000. (Mass. Ann. Laws ch. 188, §§ 1-4) Interests of a non-debtor spouse in property held as tenancy by the entirety (an attorney can explain these rights). (11 U.S.C. § 522 (b)(3)(B).)
⦁ Rented residential property. Renters can exempt rent (not to exceed $2,500 per month) for each rental period. (Mass. Ann. Laws ch. 235, § 34.)
⦁ Insurance benefits. $400 per week in disability insurance benefits; healthcare provider self-insurance funds, insurance policies, and annuity contracts payable to the insured’s spouse or dependent. (Mass. Ann. Laws ch. 175, §§ 110A; 175-36B, 119A, 125, 126, 132C, 135; ch. 175, § 15. (In re Sloss, 279 B.R. 6 (Bankr. D. Mass 2002).)⦁ Motor vehicles. $7,500 in one motor vehicle or $15,000 if owned or substantially used by a person with a disability or over the age of 60. (Mass. Ann. Laws ch. 235, § 34.)
⦁ Partnership property. Specific partnership property is exempt. (Mass. Ann. Laws ch. 235, § 34.)
⦁ Pension and retirement benefits. Retirement benefits, except for benefits subject to claims under support orders. (Mass. Ann. Laws ch. 32, § 19; ch. 168, § § 41 and 44; ch. 170, § 35; ch. 171, § 84; ch. 246, § 28.)
⦁ Personal property. Clothing and beds; $15,000 in household furniture; $1,225 in jewelry; one heating unit; $500 per month for utilities; $500 in books; two cows, 12 sheep, two swine, and four tons of hay; $600 in provisions; military uniforms; a pew in a house of public worship; $300 sewing machine; $2,500 in cash or deposit accounts; $100 shares in a cooperative. (Mass. Ann. Laws ch. 235, § 34; ch. 246, § 28.)
⦁ Public assistance. (Mass. Ann. Laws ch. 118, § 10; ch. 235, § 34.)
⦁ Trade implements. $5,000 in tools, implements, fixtures; $5,000 in stock-in-trade; $1,500 in business-related fishing gear; and military uniforms and arms. (Mass. Ann. Laws ch. 235, § 34.)
⦁ Unemployment compensation. Exempt except for certain support obligations. (Mass. Ann. Laws ch. 151A, § 36.)
⦁ Veterans benefits. (Mass. Ann. Laws ch. 115, § 5.)
⦁ Wages. The greater of 85% of gross earnings or 50 times the Massachusetts minimum hourly wage per week. (Mass. Ann. Laws ch. 115, § 5.)
⦁ Wildcard. $1,000 plus up to $5,000 of any unused exemption amount for automobile, tools of the trade, and household furniture exemptions. (Mass. Ann. Laws. ch. 235, § 34(17).)
⦁ Worker’s compensation. Exempt except for certain state agency and support obligations. (Mass. Ann. Laws ch. 152, § 47.)