Household Goods, Furniture & Personal Property in Bankruptcy
One of the most persistent bankruptcy myths is the trustee showing up to haul away the couch. In practice, consumer filers almost never lose ordinary household property, because exemption caps are measured against used, garage-sale values — not what you paid.
What counts as household goods
Furniture, appliances, clothing, dishes, bedding, one television, and similar everyday items fall under the household goods exemption — Arizona's A.R.S. § 33-1123 caps the aggregate value, and Washington's RCW 6.15.010 provides a comparable allowance per individual or household.
Valuation is the filer's friend
Property is valued at what it would fetch today — a five-year-old living room set that cost $4,000 might honestly be worth $400. At those values, nearly every household fits comfortably inside the exemption caps.
Items that need a closer look
Jewelry, firearms, collections, and high-end electronics often have their own separate caps or need to fit into a specific exemption category. Listing everything honestly and letting the attorney match items to exemptions is how filers keep it all without risk of denial of discharge.
Exemption amounts and rule thresholds change on statutory schedules. See our monthly rule reports for the current figures with citations to the official sources.
Need help protecting what you've worked for?
Majors Law Group, P.C. — an independent bankruptcy firm running its practice on Bankruptcy.AI — handles Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 cases in Arizona and Washington.
Bankruptcy.AI is a technology platform, not a law firm, and does not provide legal advice. Majors Law Group, P.C. is a separate, independent law firm. This page is general information and is not legal advice; outcomes depend on your specific facts.