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Can I keep my house if I file bankruptcy?
Keeping a home involves two different questions: whether your equity is protected and whether you can deal with the mortgage.
Question one: how much equity is in the home?
The bankruptcy estate focuses on the value of your ownership interest after valid liens and applicable exemptions are considered. Exemption law can protect some or all of that equity, but the amount and availability depend on current Utah law and your circumstances.
Question two: what is happening with the mortgage?
Bankruptcy does not erase a mortgage lien just because personal liability may be discharged. If you want to keep the property, the mortgage still has to be dealt with.
If you are current
Chapter 7 may be workable when the equity is protected and you can continue handling the mortgage. The exact treatment depends on the loan documents and case facts.
If you are behind
Chapter 7 generally does not provide a multi-year mechanism for curing mortgage arrears. Chapter 13 is often the chapter used to stop a foreclosure sale and cure arrears through a court-supervised plan while regular payments resume.
Foreclosure timing is critical. If a sale is scheduled, say so at the beginning of the consultation. Filing after a completed sale can present a very different problem than filing before it.
Do not rely on an old exemption number from a website.
Utah exemption amounts and related law can change. Before filing, use the current statute and a case-specific equity calculation rather than a stale online figure.
Want the answer for your actual situation? General information can narrow the questions. Your facts determine the answer.
General information only; not legal advice. Bankruptcy outcomes depend on the facts, timing, chapter, creditor documents, and applicable law. Last reviewed August 2026.