SB275 Alabama 2015 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Cam Ward

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2015

Title

Debtors, homestead exemption and personal property exemption, increased, Secs. 6-10-2, 6-10-6, 6-10-11, 43-8-110, 43-8-111, 43-8-113, 43-8-115 am'd.

Summary

SB275 would raise Alabama’s homestead and personal property exemptions for surviving spouses and debtors, allow bankruptcy filers to choose federal exemptions, and limit income levies.

What This Bill Does

Raises the homestead exemption from $5,000 to $30,000 and the personal property exemption from $3,000 to $10,000 for individuals and surviving spouses. In decedents’ estates, increases in the homestead allowance to $30,000 and exempt property to $10,000 for the surviving spouse and minor or dependent children. Allows debtors filing bankruptcy to exempt homestead and personal property using federal bankruptcy exemptions, and restricts the amount of income that may be levied to a portion of disposable income.

Who It Affects

• Surviving spouses and individual debtors (including married couples) would have higher protections for their home and personal property, and debtors could opt to use federal bankruptcy exemptions.
• Minor and dependent children of decedents (and their guardians) would receive larger estate provisions, with increased homestead allowances and exempt property amounts in the estate distribution.

Key Provisions

• Homestead exemption increased to $30,000 (from $5,000) and personal property exemption increased to $10,000 (from $3,000) for individuals and surviving spouses; married couples may claim separately.
• Estate exemptions for decedents’ survivors updated: homestead allowance raised to $30,000 and exempt property up to $10,000 for surviving spouses and minor/dependent children.
• Debtors filing bankruptcy may exempt homestead and personal property under federal bankruptcy law in addition to state exemptions.
• Income levies (garnishment) would be restricted to a portion of disposable income.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Homestead Exemption