Bankruptcy in New Hampshire
Exemptions, filing details, and your credit rebuild roadmap for New Hampshire (NH).
Filing Bankruptcy in New Hampshire
New Hampshire allows filers to choose between state and federal bankruptcy exemptions — one of 18 states that offer this flexibility. This is a significant advantage: you can compare both sets of exemptions and use whichever protects more of your property.
Homestead Exemption: $120,000
The homestead exemption protects equity in your primary residence during bankruptcy. In New Hampshire, you can protect up to $120,000 of equity in your primary residence. If your home equity exceeds this amount, a Chapter 7 trustee could force a sale — making Chapter 13 (which lets you keep your home while repaying over 3-5 years) a safer option for homeowners with significant equity.
After Discharge: Rebuilding Credit in New Hampshire
Once your bankruptcy is discharged, the rebuild process is the same regardless of state. Open a secured credit card (the Discover it Secured is the best option with $0 fee and Cashback Match), keep utilization below 10%, and add a credit-builder loan within 6 months.
If you plan to form a business after bankruptcy, New Hampshire's LLC filing fee is $100 through the Secretary of State at www.sos.nh.gov. You can begin building business credit immediately after discharge — bankruptcy only affects your personal credit file, not your new LLC's business credit profile.