Can anyone tell me what this means?

[tallberry]

I am filing in FL but using IN's exemptions (due to only living in FL since July). We are relinquishing our home in IN. I was reading on the IN exemptions and found this:

(1) Real estate or personal property constituting the personal or family residence of the debtor or a dependent of the debtor, or estates or rights in that real estate or personal property, of not more than fifteen thousand dollars ($ 15,000). The exemption under this subdivision is individually available to joint debtors concerning property held by them as tenants by the entireties.(2) Other real estate or tangible personal property of eight thousand dollars ($ 8,000).

Does this mean I have both $15,000 & $8,000 to use towards assets I wish to exempt? I am not trying to exempt my house, just tax return and personal items. If I read this correctly, it sounds like I can choose between real estate OR personal property for the $15,000 exemption. Could someone please clarify?

[PaKettle]

I'm no attorney (if you're not filing pro se, I'd ask your attorney this question) but it reads to me like it could be as you say, that you can use both exemptions for personal property of up to $23k. In California I know they have a Homestead exemption of around $20k that you can use for personal property or cash or whatever, so this would not be unheard of.

[tallberry]

Thank you, PaKettle. I do have any attorney but he isn't the easiest to reach (no surprise) and I truthfully feel more comfortable asking the great folks here at the forum. I remembered reading CA had a nice amount for exemptions. I do recall my attorney mentioned IN having very "generous" exemptions but he didn't elaborate. I would like to hear from others on their interpretation (strength in numbers theory). It sure would be nice, as we are expecting a decent tax return and I would love to be able to exempt it.