Connecticut Bankruptcy Guide

Complete guide to filing bankruptcy in Connecticut, including current median income requirements, Connecticut's generous homestead exemption up to $250,000, bankruptcy court information, and how to find qualified bankruptcy attorneys throughout Connecticut.

Connecticut Median Income for Bankruptcy (2026)

To qualify for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Connecticut, 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	$76,875	$6,406
2 people	$98,685	$8,224
3 people	$117,363	$9,780
4 people	$143,515	$11,960
5 people	$152,515	$12,710
6 people	$161,515	$13,460

Note: For households larger than 4, add $9,000 per additional person. These figures are updated annually by the U.S. Trustee Program. Connecticut has some of the highest median incomes in the nation.

Calculate Your Connecticut Eligibility

Connecticut Bankruptcy Exemptions

Connecticut does not allow bankruptcy filers to choose federal exemptions. All Connecticut bankruptcy filers must use Connecticut state exemptions. However, Connecticut recently enacted one of the most generous homestead exemptions in the nation.

Connecticut Homestead Exemption

Up to $250,000.

Connecticut's homestead exemption protects up to $250,000 of equity in your primary residence. This is one of the highest specific homestead exemptions in the country and was significantly increased in recent years to provide better protection for Connecticut homeowners facing the state's high property values.

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.

Connecticut's $250,000 homestead exemption means that most Connecticut homeowners can keep their homes in Chapter 7 bankruptcy, even in expensive areas like Fairfield County (Greenwich, Stamford, Westport) or along the Connecticut shoreline.

Connecticut Vehicle Exemption

Up to $3,500.

Connecticut allows you to protect up to $3,500 of equity in one motor vehicle. If you owe more than your vehicle is worth or have equity within this limit, you can typically keep it by continuing to make loan payments through a reaffirmation agreement in Chapter 7.

Connecticut State Exemptions

Connecticut bankruptcy exemptions include:

• Homestead: $250,000
• Vehicle: $3,500
• Household Goods and Furniture: $5,000
• Clothing: All necessary wearing apparel
• Appliances: Included in household goods
• Wedding and Engagement Rings: $2,000
• Burial Plot: Unlimited
• Health Aids: All health aids
• Tools of Trade: $5,000
• Arms and Military Equipment: $1,000 (for military personnel)
• Wildcard: $1,000 of any property
• Wages: 75% of earned but unpaid wages

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, TANF
• Life Insurance: Unmatured life insurance policies; life insurance proceeds if policy prohibits use to pay creditors
• Health Aids: All health aids prescribed by physician
• Education Savings: Connecticut 529 education savings plan (CHET - Connecticut Higher Education Trust)
• Personal Injury Awards: Certain personal injury recoveries
• Wrongful Death Awards: Wrongful death recoveries needed for support
• Alimony and Child Support: Alimony and child support needed for support

Filing Bankruptcy in Connecticut

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy in Connecticut

Chapter 7 bankruptcy is commonly filed throughout Connecticut. 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 Connecticut, you must pass the means test by having income below the Connecticut median (which is quite high due to the state's affluence) 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.

Connecticut's generous $250,000 homestead exemption provides excellent protection for most Connecticut homeowners, allowing them to keep their homes while obtaining debt relief through Chapter 7.

Learn more about Chapter 7 bankruptcy →

Chapter 13 Bankruptcy in Connecticut

Chapter 13 bankruptcy allows Connecticut 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 Connecticut if your income is too high to qualify for Chapter 7 (Connecticut's high median incomes make this common), if you have non-exempt assets you want to protect (particularly if you have more than $250,000 in home equity in expensive areas), 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 Court in Connecticut

Connecticut has one federal bankruptcy court district:

District of Connecticut

Main Courthouses: Hartford, Bridgeport, New Haven

The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Connecticut covers the entire state. The court has multiple locations to serve Connecticut's population:

Hartford: Serves northern and central Connecticut including Hartford (state capital), Springfield area, and the northern portion of the state.

Bridgeport: Serves southwestern Connecticut including Bridgeport, Stamford, Norwalk, Danbury, and Fairfield County. This location handles many cases from the affluent New York City suburbs.

New Haven: Serves south-central Connecticut including New Haven and the Connecticut shoreline.

You must file in the district where you have lived for the greater part of the 180 days before filing. Since Connecticut has only one district, all Connecticut residents file in the District of Connecticut, but your case will be assigned to the appropriate courthouse based on your location.

Connecticut Residency Requirements

To use Connecticut bankruptcy exemptions, you must have been domiciled (legally residing) in Connecticut for at least 730 days (2 years) before filing. If you've lived in Connecticut 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.

Connecticut does not allow the choice of federal exemptions, so once you meet the residency requirement, you must use Connecticut state exemptions (which are very generous, especially the $250,000 homestead).

Find a Connecticut Bankruptcy Attorney

Most Connecticut bankruptcy attorneys offer free initial consultations. Given the complexity of bankruptcy law and Connecticut's specific exemption rules, consulting with an experienced Connecticut bankruptcy attorney is highly recommended.

What a Connecticut Bankruptcy Attorney Can Do

• Determine which bankruptcy chapter is right for your financial situation
• Maximize Connecticut exemptions to protect your assets
• Evaluate whether your home equity is protected under Connecticut's $250,000 homestead
• Calculate whether you qualify for Chapter 7 using the Connecticut means test
• Navigate Connecticut-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 Connecticut

Chapter 7 bankruptcy attorney fees in Connecticut vary by location:

• Fairfield County (Stamford, Greenwich, Westport, Bridgeport): $1,600 to $2,400 plus $338 filing fee
• New Haven, Hartford areas: $1,400 to $2,000 plus $338 filing fee
• Norwalk, Danbury, Waterbury: $1,300 to $1,900 plus $338 filing fee
• Other Connecticut cities: $1,200 to $1,800 plus $338 filing fee

Chapter 13 attorney fees typically range from $3,500 to $5,500 plus a $313 filing fee. In Chapter 13, attorney fees are usually paid through your repayment plan rather than upfront.

Connecticut bankruptcy attorney fees tend to be higher than the national average due to the state's high cost of living, particularly in Fairfield County. Many Connecticut attorneys offer payment plans for Chapter 7 to make bankruptcy more accessible.

Connecticut-Specific Bankruptcy FAQs

Can I keep my house in Connecticut bankruptcy?

Most Connecticut homeowners can keep their homes. Connecticut's $250,000 homestead exemption is one of the most generous in the nation. If you have $250,000 or less in equity, your home is fully protected in Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Even in expensive areas like Fairfield County or coastal towns, many homeowners are fully protected due to mortgages reducing net equity. If your equity exceeds $250,000, you may need Chapter 13.

Can I keep my car in Connecticut bankruptcy?

Yes, in most cases. Connecticut allows you to exempt up to $3,500 of equity in one motor vehicle. Most Connecticut residents with car loans have equity below this amount and can keep their vehicles by continuing to make payments through a reaffirmation agreement. Connecticut's vehicle exemption is modest but adequate for most financed vehicles.

Does Connecticut allow federal bankruptcy exemptions?

No, Connecticut is one of the states that opted out of the federal exemption system. All Connecticut filers must use Connecticut state exemptions. However, this is rarely a disadvantage because Connecticut's $250,000 homestead exemption is far superior to the federal $27,900 (single) or $55,800 (married) homestead.

How does Connecticut's high cost of living affect bankruptcy?

Connecticut has one of the highest costs of living in the nation, particularly in Fairfield County near New York City. On the positive side, Connecticut has very high median income thresholds, making it easier to qualify for Chapter 7 even with substantial income. Additionally, Connecticut filers can claim higher living expense deductions on the means test. The $250,000 homestead exemption reflects Connecticut's high property values.

Can I protect my condo in Stamford or Greenwich in bankruptcy?

Yes. Condominiums qualify for Connecticut's $250,000 homestead exemption if used as your primary residence. Many Fairfield County condos can be fully protected even with Connecticut's high property values. You remain responsible for HOA/condo fees after filing. Pre-filing condo fee arrears are dischargeable in Chapter 7, but ongoing fees must be paid. In Chapter 13, you can catch up on arrears through your payment plan.

What if I commute to New York City from Connecticut?

Many Connecticut residents, particularly in Fairfield County, commute to New York City for work. If you live in Connecticut, you file bankruptcy in Connecticut regardless of where you work. Your work location doesn't affect which state's exemptions you use—only your residence matters. You must have lived in Connecticut for 730 days to use Connecticut exemptions.

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