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)
Can California debtors use the Federal Bankruptcy exemptions instead of California exemptions?
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.