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Question: Bankruptcy - Illinois

Asked on 11/3/2009

I am moving to a different state. Can I file bankruptcy there, or do I have to file elsewhere?

Have lived in Washington State 60 years. Moving to Florida 12/2009, then on to Chicago in 5/2010. I would prefer to file in Chicago. How long do I have to wait to file after I move to Chicago?


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Answers (2):

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Typically you have to live in the BK district for last 3 months before being able to submit to its jurisdiction.



  • Answered on 11/3/2009
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M.D., Member in Good Standing of the California and New York Bar


Basically, you can file in the state of which you are a resident.  However, certain property is "exempt" (cannot be taken) when a bankruptcy is filed.  Under federal law there is a list of such exemptions; some states additionally have their own list of exemptions and the debtor can decide which list they wish to use. 

In order to use a state's exemptions, however, you must have lived in the state for 2 years.  If you have lived there for less than 2 years, you count back 2 years from the date you file for bankruptcy and then look at where you lived for the 180 days (6 months) before that.  Whichever state you have lived in for the longest time during that 6-month period is the state whose exemptions you can use. 

Note:  Some states, though, don’t allow you to use their exemptions unless you currently live in that state.  If you get caught in this gap, you’ll have to use the federal exemptions.



  • Answered on 11/3/2009
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