In the Matter of Francisco A. Fernandez and Maura M. Fernandez, Debtors. Francisco A. Fernandez and Maura M. Fernandez v. Martin W. Seidler, Trustee

Appellants Francisco and Maura Fernandez voluntarily filed a joint Chapter 7 bankruptcy petition in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Texas. Pursuant to 11 U.S.C. § 522(b), Mr. and Mrs. Fernandez elected to claim exemptions as provided by Texas state law. Appellants listed over $8,000 worth of jewelry as exempt property. 1 Texas Property Code § 42.002(3)(C) allows debtors to exempt “clothing,” but includes no separate category for “jewelry.” 2 The bankruptcy court came to the plausible conclusion that “clothing” does not include jewelry and denied appellants’…