Oklahoma Bankruptcy Guide

Complete guide to filing bankruptcy in Oklahoma, including current median income requirements, Oklahoma's unlimited homestead exemption on up to 1 acre urban or 160 acres rural, bankruptcy court information for both Oklahoma districts, and how to find qualified bankruptcy attorneys throughout Oklahoma.

Oklahoma Median Income for Bankruptcy (2026)

To qualify for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Oklahoma, 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	$53,051	$4,421
2 people	$68,369	$5,697
3 people	$76,297	$6,358
4 people	$89,467	$7,456
5 people	$98,467	$8,206
6 people	$107,467	$8,956

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 Oklahoma Eligibility

Oklahoma Bankruptcy Exemptions

Oklahoma does not allow bankruptcy filers to choose federal exemptions. All Oklahoma bankruptcy filers must use Oklahoma state exemptions. However, Oklahoma has one of the most generous homestead exemptions in the nation—unlimited in value.

Oklahoma Homestead Exemption

Unlimited value on up to 1 acre in a city, town, or village, or up to 160 acres elsewhere.

Oklahoma's homestead exemption is one of the strongest in the United States. There is no dollar limit on the value of the homestead, meaning you can protect a home of any value as long as it meets the acreage requirements:

• Up to 1 acre if located within a city, town, or village (urban)
• Up to 160 acres if located outside a city, town, or village (rural)

The property must be your principal residence at the time of filing bankruptcy. Oklahoma's unlimited homestead exemption provides exceptional protection for homeowners, allowing you to keep your home regardless of its value as long as the acreage requirements are met.

This makes Oklahoma similar to Texas and Florida in providing unlimited homestead protection, though with different acreage limits.

Oklahoma Vehicle Exemption

Up to $7,500.

Oklahoma allows you to protect up to $7,500 of equity in one motor vehicle. This is a generous vehicle exemption that protects most financed vehicles. 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.

Oklahoma State Exemptions

Oklahoma bankruptcy exemptions include:

• Homestead: Unlimited value on 1 acre urban or 160 acres rural
• Vehicle: $7,500
• Personal Property: $10,000 of any personal property
• Clothing: All necessary clothing
• Books: Family bible, school books, and other books up to $1,500
• Portraits and Pictures: Family portraits and pictures
• Burial Plot: Unlimited
• Tools of Trade: Tools, apparatus, and books needed for trade or profession up to $10,000
• Livestock and Poultry: Certain farm animals for personal use
• Food and Fuel: Food and fuel for family for 1 year
• Wildcard: The $10,000 personal property exemption functions as a wildcard
• Wages: 75% of earned but unpaid wages (or 30 times federal minimum wage per week, whichever is greater)

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 if policy prohibits use to pay creditors
• Health Aids: All health aids
• Education Savings: Oklahoma 529 education savings plan (Oklahoma 529 College Savings Plan)
• Personal Injury Awards: Personal injury recoveries up to $50,000
• Wrongful Death Awards: Wrongful death recoveries

Filing Bankruptcy in Oklahoma

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy in Oklahoma

Chapter 7 bankruptcy is very commonly filed throughout Oklahoma. 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 Oklahoma, you must pass the means test by having income below the Oklahoma 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.

Oklahoma's exceptionally generous exemptions—unlimited homestead, $7,500 vehicle, and $10,000 personal property wildcard—mean that most Oklahoma residents can keep all their assets while obtaining a complete discharge of unsecured debts through Chapter 7.

Learn more about Chapter 7 bankruptcy →

Chapter 13 Bankruptcy in Oklahoma

Chapter 13 bankruptcy allows Oklahoma 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 Oklahoma if your income is too high to qualify for Chapter 7, or if you have priority debts like recent taxes or past-due child support. Given Oklahoma's unlimited homestead exemption, few Oklahoma homeowners need Chapter 13 solely to protect home equity. Your monthly payment is based on your disposable income after allowable living expenses.

Learn more about Chapter 13 bankruptcy →

Bankruptcy Courts in Oklahoma

Oklahoma is divided into three federal bankruptcy court districts:

Northern District of Oklahoma

Main Courthouse: Tulsa

Covers northeastern Oklahoma including Tulsa and the surrounding area. This district serves the Tulsa metropolitan region and northeastern counties.

Eastern District of Oklahoma

Main Courthouse: Okmulgee

Covers eastern Oklahoma including Muskogee and the southeastern portion of the state.

Western District of Oklahoma

Main Courthouse: Oklahoma City

Covers western Oklahoma including Oklahoma City, the state capital and largest metro area. This district serves central and western Oklahoma and handles the highest volume of bankruptcy cases.

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 Oklahoma district.

Oklahoma Residency Requirements

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

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

Find an Oklahoma Bankruptcy Attorney

Most Oklahoma bankruptcy attorneys offer free initial consultations. Given the complexity of bankruptcy law and the benefits of Oklahoma's generous exemptions, consulting with an experienced Oklahoma bankruptcy attorney is highly recommended.

What an Oklahoma Bankruptcy Attorney Can Do

• Determine which bankruptcy chapter is right for your financial situation
• Maximize Oklahoma exemptions to protect your assets
• Ensure your homestead meets Oklahoma's unlimited exemption requirements
• Calculate whether you qualify for Chapter 7 using the Oklahoma means test
• Navigate Oklahoma-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 Oklahoma

Chapter 7 bankruptcy attorney fees in Oklahoma vary by location:

• Oklahoma City metro area: $1,000 to $1,500 plus $338 filing fee
• Tulsa area: $1,000 to $1,500 plus $338 filing fee
• Norman, Edmond, Broken Arrow: $950 to $1,450 plus $338 filing fee
• Lawton, Stillwater, Muskogee: $850 to $1,350 plus $338 filing fee
• Other Oklahoma cities and rural areas: $750 to $1,250 plus $338 filing fee

Chapter 13 attorney fees typically range from $2,500 to $3,500 plus a $313 filing fee. In Chapter 13, attorney fees are usually paid through your repayment plan rather than upfront.

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

Oklahoma-Specific Bankruptcy FAQs

Can I keep my house in Oklahoma bankruptcy?

Yes, almost certainly. Oklahoma has an unlimited homestead exemption, meaning you can protect a home of any value as long as it's on 1 acre or less in a city/town or 160 acres or less in a rural area. This is one of the strongest homestead protections in the nation. Even if you own an expensive home in Oklahoma City, Tulsa, or elsewhere, as long as it meets the acreage requirements and is your principal residence, it's fully protected.

Can I keep my car in Oklahoma bankruptcy?

Yes, in most cases. Oklahoma allows you to exempt up to $7,500 of equity in one motor vehicle, which is one of the more generous vehicle exemptions in the country. Most Oklahoma residents with car loans have equity below this amount and can keep their vehicles by continuing to make payments through a reaffirmation agreement.

Does Oklahoma allow federal bankruptcy exemptions?

No, Oklahoma is one of the states that opted out of the federal exemption system. All Oklahoma filers must use Oklahoma state exemptions. However, this is rarely a disadvantage because Oklahoma's unlimited homestead exemption is far superior to the federal $27,900 homestead. Oklahoma's $7,500 vehicle exemption also exceeds the federal $4,450.

What if I own more than 1 acre in a city?

If your home is located within a city, town, or village and sits on more than 1 acre, only the portion up to 1 acre is protected by the homestead exemption. However, the exemption is unlimited in value for that 1 acre. If you have a large lot in an urban area, discuss with your Oklahoma bankruptcy attorney whether any portion exceeding 1 acre could be sold separately or how it affects your bankruptcy.

Can I protect farm property in Oklahoma bankruptcy?

Yes, Oklahoma provides exceptional protection for rural and agricultural property. If your homestead is outside a city, town, or village, you can protect up to 160 acres of unlimited value. This protects most Oklahoma farms and ranches. Additionally, Oklahoma exempts certain livestock and poultry for personal use, and food and fuel for the family for one year. Oklahoma farmers should consult bankruptcy attorneys experienced with agricultural issues.

What happens to oil and gas rights in Oklahoma bankruptcy?

Oklahoma has significant oil and gas production, and many landowners have mineral rights. If mineral rights are part of your homestead property, they may be protected by the homestead exemption. However, if you own separate mineral rights not attached to your homestead, they may not be exempt and could be taken by the trustee. Oklahoma bankruptcy law regarding mineral rights can be complex—consult an Oklahoma attorney experienced with oil and gas issues.

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