Would I lose my car if my elderly mother files for bankruptcy?

Your car should not be at risk, and she needs to see an attorney regarding her options, including potential bankruptcy.

There is an exemption for a certain value for the car and wildcard exemptions.

No, you would not lose your car. The status of cosigner ended when the car loan was paid off.

Whether your mother will lose her car or her house in a bankruptcy will depend on what exemptions she is entitled to use under state laws. In Nevada, she would be able to keep her car if worth under $15,000 & her house if her equity is under $550,000. The exemptions are not nearly as easy to obtain as it may seem, so send her to the best bankruptcy attorney you can find.

Judgment proof just means that even if a creditor gets a judgment, there is nothing to collect against. I suppose there may be some disagreement as to whether she is really judgment proof. I don't think someone who owns real property is really judgment proof because to me judgment proof means there is nothing that the creditor can attach or take. Understand that judgment proof doesn't mean the creditor can't or won't sue, it just means that even if/when they do, there is nothing to go after. Social security is exempt so that is safe. If however she has some other earnings, wins lottery, etc such can be attached. Since a creditor can also put a lien against real property I don't consider your mother to be judgment proof. I'd want to know what her plans are with regard to the house. There is a generous homestead exemption outside of bankruptcy. But what about filing bankruptcy now when she can use 703 exemptions with much more generous exemptions in different categories assuming of course she has no equity in the property. Who owns the car? How is it titled? Are the income taxes dischargeable? If not now, then when would the past due income taxes be dischargeable? Would make sense to wait maybe until they are. Need more facts to figure this out. Am I rambling? What you really want is to sit down with a local bankruptcy attorney to talk about what's what, see if bankruptcy makes sense, sometimes it's not just a matter of filing but when is best to file. Most bankruptcy attorneys offer a free consult and no online question and answer session can replace the value of an interactive discussion. I can't say if the car will be taken without knowing if she is on title, how much the vehicle is worth, market value of the home minus loans, and value of other property. There is yet still another possibility that even if it is titled, since you made all the payments and paid all the maintenance you could claim it doesn't really belong to her, but don't know if that's even an issue.

This is not the right forum to seek specific personalized legal advice. Your mother (and you with her, if she wishes) should schedule a consultation with a bankruptcy attorney. The values and types of property that one can own and protect while filing bankruptcy vary significantly from one state to another. She really needs to meet with a lawyer who can advise her relative to her current situation.