Section 2.8 Personal Property Exempt From Execution

• Library: Creditors' Remedies (2009 Ed. + 2014 Supp)

2. (§2.8) Personal Property Exempt From Execution

As a general rule, all property of the judgment debtor is subject to execution except when it is made exempt from execution by statute. Section 513.430.1, RSMo Supp. 2008, allows each person to claim property exempt from execution to the extent of "any person's interest therein," without a requirement in most instances that the person be the "head of a family." Section 513.430.1 allows any person to hold as exempt:

(1) Household furnishings, household goods, wearing apparel, appliances, books, animals, crops or musical instruments that are held primarily for personal, family or household use of such person or a dependent of such person, not to exceed three thousand dollars in value in the aggregate;

(2) A wedding ring not to exceed one thousand five hundred dollars in value and other jewelry held primarily for the personal, family or household use of such person or a dependent of such person, not to exceed five hundred dollars in value in the aggregate;

(3) Any other property of any kind, not to exceed in value six hundred dollars in the aggregate;

(4) Any implements or professional books or tools of the trade of such person or the trade of a dependent of such person not to exceed three thousand dollars in value in the aggregate;

(5) Any motor vehicle in the aggregate, not to exceed three thousand dollars in value;

(6) Any mobile home used as the principal residence but not on or attached to real property in which the debtor has a fee interest, not to exceed five thousand dollars in value;

(7) Any one or more unmatured life insurance contracts owned by such person, other than a credit life insurance contract;

(8) The amount of any accrued dividend or interest under, or loan value of, any one or more unmatured life insurance contracts owned by such person under which the insured is such person or an individual of whom such person is a dependent; [in a bankruptcy proceeding, the exempt amount may not exceed $150,000]. . . . No amount . . . shall be exempt from any claim for child support. . . . [N]o such amount shall be exempt in such [bankruptcy] proceedings under any . . . [policy] purchased by such person within one year prior to the commencement of such proceedings;

(9) Professionally prescribed health aids for such person or a dependent of such person;

(10) Such person's right to receive:

(a) A social security benefit, unemployment compensation or a local public assistance benefit;

(b) A veteran's benefit;

(c) A disability, illness or unemployment benefit;

(d) Alimony, support or separate maintenance, not to exceed seven hundred fifty dollars a

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