Wildcard Exemptions — State System
California Law Exemptions
None (use federal non-bankruptcy wage exemption)
Deposit Accounts to amount "necessary for the support of the judgment debtor, as well as the judgment debtor’s spouse and dependents"(CCP 704.225.) Using this exemption, a family living paycheck to paycheck could likely exempt an entire account balance; however, courts have yet to weigh in on the new law. A debtor must assert this exemption for it to apply.
California Exemption System 1
California Exemption System 2
-Federal Non-Bankruptcy Wildcard Exemptions (none)
Wildcard Exemptions -- Federal System § 522(d)
No. Federal exemptions not available. Instead, California has two systems of exemptions, one of which ("C2") closely mirrors the federal scheme. Cal. Civ. Proc. Code § 703.130
The Federal Bankruptcy Exemptions under 11 U.S.C. § 522(d) are available to you if
- you haven't lived in any state longer than 180 days for a while,
- or
- if your state allows the Federal exemptions as a choice.