Filing Chapter 7 Bankruptcy in Wyoming (2026)
Reviewed by DocDraft Legal Team · Wyoming · Last updated August 18, 2026
Chapter 7 bankruptcy is federal law, but the property you keep is set by Wyoming. Wyoming is an opt-out state: under Wyo. Stat. 1-20-109 you must use Wyoming's exemptions and cannot choose the federal 522(d) list. Wyoming recently raised its homestead exemption to $100,000 per person under Wyo. Stat. 1-20-101, which two joint owners can double to $200,000. This page explains the Wyoming homestead, the vehicle and household-goods figures, the means-test median income, and the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Wyoming where you file. Chapter 7 discharges most unsecured debt but not most student loans, recent taxes, or child and spousal support.
Does Wyoming use state or federal bankruptcy exemptions?
Wyoming is an opt-out state. Under Wyo. Stat. 1-20-109, the federal 11 U.S.C. 522(d) exemptions are not authorized for a debtor domiciled in Wyoming for the 180 days before filing. You must use Wyoming's own exemption set and cannot elect the federal list, so knowing the Wyoming figures matters.
Can I keep my house if I file Chapter 7 in Wyoming?
Often yes. Wyo. Stat. 1-20-101 exempts up to $100,000 of homestead value, raised from $20,000 effective July 1, 2023. When two or more people jointly own and occupy the residence, each gets a separate exemption, so a married couple can protect up to $200,000. Equity within that amount is generally safe.
Can I keep my car if I file Chapter 7 in Wyoming?
Usually yes if your equity is modest. Under Wyo. Stat. 1-20-106(a)(iv), Wyoming exempts up to $5,000 of value in a motor vehicle. If your car equity is at or below that figure, the vehicle is protected in Chapter 7. Equity above $5,000 may be reachable by the trustee unless another exemption covers it.
What is the income limit to file Chapter 7 in Wyoming?
For cases filed on or after July 15, 2026, the U.S. Trustee median income figures for Wyoming are $71,745 for one earner, $91,502 for two, $98,476 for three, and $110,297 for four, adding $11,100 per additional person. At or below your household figure, you pass the first part of the means test.
Wyoming's Opt-Out Rule, the $100,000 Homestead, and the District of Wyoming Court
Wyoming is a bankruptcy opt-out state. Under Wyo. Stat. 1-20-109, the federal 11 U.S.C. 522(d) exemptions are not authorized where Wyoming law applies and the debtor has been domiciled in Wyoming for the 180 days before filing, so a Wyoming debtor must use the state exemption set and cannot pick the federal list. Wyoming's headline protection is its homestead under Wyo. Stat. 1-20-101, which the legislature raised from $20,000 to $100,000 per person effective July 1, 2023; because each joint owner who occupies the home gets a separate exemption, a married couple who both own and occupy can shield up to $200,000 of equity. Wyoming also exempts up to $5,000 of motor vehicle value under Wyo. Stat. 1-20-106(a)(iv), and up to $4,000 in household furniture, bedding, and provisions per person under Wyo. Stat. 1-20-106(a)(iii). Wyoming has no broad cash wildcard, so the homestead and category exemptions do most of the work. Wyoming debtors file in a single court: the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Wyoming, which sits in Cheyenne and covers the entire state.
Relevant Laws
Wyoming Homestead Exemption (Wyo. Stat. 1-20-101)
Sets Wyoming's homestead exemption at $100,000 of value, raised from $20,000 effective July 1, 2023. Each person who jointly owns and occupies the residence is entitled to a separate exemption, so two owner-occupants can protect up to $200,000. This is the main protection that lets Wyoming homeowners keep their house in Chapter 7.
Wyoming Bankruptcy Opt-Out (Wyo. Stat. 1-20-109)
The statute that opts Wyoming out of the federal exemptions. It provides that the 11 U.S.C. 522(d) exemptions are not authorized where Wyoming law applies and the debtor has been domiciled in Wyoming for the 180 days before filing, forcing the debtor onto the Wyoming exemption set.
Wyoming Personal Property, Vehicle, and Tools Exemptions (Wyo. Stat. 1-20-106)
Exempts up to $5,000 of value in a motor vehicle, up to $4,000 per person in household furniture, bedding, and provisions, and up to $4,000 in the tools, team, implements, or stock in trade used to carry on a trade or business. Wyoming has no broad cash wildcard.
Federal Bankruptcy Code Exemptions and Means Test (11 U.S.C. 522, 707)
The federal law behind Chapter 7. Section 522(b)(2) lets a state opt out of the federal 522(d) exemptions, which Wyoming has done, and section 707(b) sets the means test measured against state median income.
Regional Variances
Wyoming Chapter 7 Exemption Table
Homestead
Wyo. Stat. 1-20-101: up to $100,000 of homestead value, raised from $20,000 effective July 1, 2023. Each person who jointly owns and occupies the residence gets a separate exemption, so two owner-occupants (for example, a married couple) can protect up to $200,000 of equity.
Motor vehicle
Wyo. Stat. 1-20-106(a)(iv): up to $5,000 of value in a motor vehicle. Equity above $5,000 may be reachable by the trustee. Wyoming has no broad cash wildcard to stack on top of the vehicle cap.
Wildcard
Wyoming has no general cash or catch-all wildcard exemption. Unlike states that let a filer protect any property up to a set dollar amount, Wyoming debtors rely on the specific category exemptions such as homestead, vehicle, household goods, and tools of trade.
Personal property
Wyo. Stat. 1-20-106(a)(iii): up to $4,000 per person in household furniture, bedding, provisions, and other household articles the debtor selects; when two or more people occupy the same residence, each gets a separate $4,000 exemption. Wyo. Stat. 1-20-105 also exempts necessary wearing apparel up to $2,000.
Wages
Wyoming follows the federal wage-garnishment cap. Disposable weekly earnings are exempt except for the lesser of 25 percent of disposable earnings or the amount exceeding 30 times the federal minimum wage, meaning at least 75 percent of disposable weekly earnings is protected from most garnishment.
Retirement and tools
Wyo. Stat. 1-20-110 exempts private and public retirement funds and accounts, including IRAs, Roth IRAs, and SEP IRAs. Wyo. Stat. 1-20-106(b) exempts up to $4,000 in the tools, team, implements, or stock in trade, or the library and instruments of a professional, used to carry on a trade or business.
Suggested Compliance Checklist
Confirm the current Wyoming means-test median income
Before you file days after startingCheck your household size against the U.S. Trustee Wyoming median income figures in effect on your filing date, since these update periodically. For cases filed on or after July 15, 2026 the figures are $71,745 for one, $91,502 for two, $98,476 for three, and $110,297 for four, adding $11,100 per additional person.
Complete the pre-filing credit counseling course
Within 180 days before filing days after startingTake an approved credit counseling course from a provider authorized for the District of Wyoming and keep the certificate. You must file it with your petition. Skipping this can get your case dismissed before your debts are addressed.
Value your assets against the Wyoming exemptions
Before preparing your schedules days after startingWyoming is opt-out, so match your assets to the state figures: the $100,000 homestead under Wyo. Stat. 1-20-101 (doubled for two joint owner-occupants), $5,000 for a vehicle, and $4,000 per person for household goods. Value your home, vehicle, and personal property so you can claim each exemption accurately.
Prepare and file your petition and schedules
Filing day days after startingFile your petition, schedules, and exemption claims in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Wyoming, the single court covering the whole state, which sits in Cheyenne. Filing triggers the automatic stay that pauses collection and garnishment.
Attend the 341 meeting and finish the debtor education course
Before discharge days after startingAttend the 341 meeting of creditors and answer the trustee's questions under oath, then complete the required post-filing financial management course and file the certificate. Both are required before the court will grant your discharge. An attorney can help with contested exemptions.
| Task | Description | Document | Days after starting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Confirm the current Wyoming means-test median income | Check your household size against the U.S. Trustee Wyoming median income figures in effect on your filing date, since these update periodically. For cases filed on or after July 15, 2026 the figures are $71,745 for one, $91,502 for two, $98,476 for three, and $110,297 for four, adding $11,100 per additional person. | - | Before you file |
| Complete the pre-filing credit counseling course | Take an approved credit counseling course from a provider authorized for the District of Wyoming and keep the certificate. You must file it with your petition. Skipping this can get your case dismissed before your debts are addressed. | - | Within 180 days before filing |
| Value your assets against the Wyoming exemptions | Wyoming is opt-out, so match your assets to the state figures: the $100,000 homestead under Wyo. Stat. 1-20-101 (doubled for two joint owner-occupants), $5,000 for a vehicle, and $4,000 per person for household goods. Value your home, vehicle, and personal property so you can claim each exemption accurately. | - | Before preparing your schedules |
| Prepare and file your petition and schedules | File your petition, schedules, and exemption claims in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Wyoming, the single court covering the whole state, which sits in Cheyenne. Filing triggers the automatic stay that pauses collection and garnishment. | - | Filing day |
| Attend the 341 meeting and finish the debtor education course | Attend the 341 meeting of creditors and answer the trustee's questions under oath, then complete the required post-filing financial management course and file the certificate. Both are required before the court will grant your discharge. An attorney can help with contested exemptions. | - | Before discharge |
Frequently Asked Questions
Under Wyo. Stat. 1-20-101, Wyoming exempts up to $100,000 of homestead value, raised from $20,000 effective July 1, 2023. Because each person who jointly owns and occupies the residence gets a separate exemption, a married couple who both own and occupy the home can protect up to $200,000 of equity in Chapter 7.
Under Wyo. Stat. 1-20-106(a)(iv), Wyoming exempts up to $5,000 of value in a motor vehicle. If your car equity is at or below $5,000, the vehicle is protected. Equity above that figure may be reachable by the trustee. Wyoming has no broad cash wildcard to stack on top, so the vehicle cap applies fairly strictly.
No. Chapter 7 discharges most unsecured debt like credit cards and medical bills, but it does not erase most student loans, recent income taxes, child support, or spousal support, and it will not discharge debts from fraud. Secured debts like a car loan remain unless you surrender the collateral or reaffirm the loan.
You file in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Wyoming, a single federal district covering the entire state, with the clerk's office in Cheyenne. You file where you have lived for most of the prior 180 days, which for a Wyoming resident is this one court. Filing triggers the automatic stay.
Generally yes. Under Wyo. Stat. 1-20-110, Wyoming exempts private and public retirement funds and accounts, including IRAs, Roth IRAs, and SEP IRAs. ERISA-qualified plans such as most 401(k)s are also separately excluded from the bankruptcy estate under federal law, so retirement savings usually stay protected in a Wyoming Chapter 7.
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