The question is not only how much you retain, but who releases the money, when and on what basis. Start with the court order: debt restructuring and asset realization have different rules.
Legal provisions checked on 5 September 2026. This guide concerns court-based personal bankruptcy in Russia.
Identify the stage of your case first
| Stage | What matters for salary | First step |
|---|---|---|
| Debt restructuring | A special account allows independent transactions up to RUB 50,000 per month; the court may increase the limit. Other accounts require the financial manager’s prior written consent, except for money protected from enforcement. | Confirm the account’s status and applicable approvals. |
| Asset realization | Salary enters the bankruptcy estate, but protected funds are released for the debtor and dependants. | Provide the manager with evidence of income and protected amounts. |
How much salary is protected during realization?
The subsistence minimum is protected for the debtor and dependants. Payments intended to support other people, such as child maintenance, are excluded from the estate. The financial manager addresses these exclusions; disputes go to the court handling the bankruptcy. Additional essential expenses, such as costly medical treatment, require separate justification. See paragraphs 1–2 of Supreme Court Plenum Resolution No. 48 (Russian).
To check your amount, prepare information about your region of residence, household, dependants and other receipts. Do not treat every employer payment as identical: a payslip may include salary, a bonus or expense reimbursement. Obtain documents explaining any disputed payment.
Arrange access to salary in four steps
Collect payroll information
Prepare payslips, bank statements, employer details and the dates of advance and final salary payments. Flag arrears, bonuses and payments for earlier months for separate review.
Write to the financial manager
State the case number, payment period, source of income and amount you ask to receive. Attach your calculation and supporting documents. Keep a copy and proof of delivery.
Coordinate with payroll
Ask the manager to confirm the bank details, payment method and frequency in writing. The Supreme Court permits a notice telling the employer which amounts may be paid directly to the debtor. Do not redirect salary to a relative’s account to bypass the proceedings.
Track actual payments
Keep a simple record of the month, payroll amount, bank receipt, protected amount and release date. Send updated documents when your employment or household changes.
Example: salary paid in two instalments
Assume net salary for one calculation month is RUB 60,000: an advance of RUB 25,000 and a final payment of RUB 35,000. Suppose the protected amount agreed in the case is RUB 24,000 for that month, with no other exclusions. The amount released is RUB 24,000, not RUB 24,000 from each transfer; the difference is RUB 36,000.
If arrears for several months arrive together, first reconcile the earning periods, receipt dates and amounts already released. Do not automatically apply this simple example to arrears.
Salary has arrived, but living expenses remain unpaid
First identify where the payment stopped: with the employer, the bank or the manager’s approval process. Request a written explanation and attach statements and earlier correspondence. List the exact unpaid amounts and periods, rather than merely asking to unblock the card.
If the disagreement concerns protected funds, prepare an application to resolve it in the court handling your bankruptcy. Attach your request to the manager, the reply or evidence of no response, your calculation and documents supporting necessary expenses. Paragraph 1 of Resolution No. 48 describes this dispute-resolution route.
Before sending your request
Frequently asked questions
Can I use my usual payroll card?
Having a card does not mean you may freely spend every receipt. Confirm the case stage and payment arrangement first. Ask for written bank details and payroll instructions.
Must I collect every document again each month?
Ask the manager how long the arrangement remains valid and which records need regular updates. Unchanged household information and a new monthly statement are different things; agree the requirements in advance to reduce delays.
What about a bonus or payment covering several months?
Provide an employer’s order or statement explaining the purpose and earning period. Do not calculate protection by counting transfers: reconcile accruals and previously released amounts first.
Related questions
Payments excluded from the bankruptcy estate — for benefits and earmarked receipts alongside salary. Self-employment during bankruptcy — for client income alongside employment.
Need help checking your salary arrangements?
A consultation can review the stage of your case, income documents and reasons for a delayed protected payment. Available funds depend on your circumstances and supporting evidence.
Book an initial consultation