Homestead is technically an artificial estate in land, created to protect the possession and enjoyment of the owner against the claims of creditors by preventing the sale of the property for payment of the owner's debts so long as the land is occupied as a home.
Laws exempting the homestead from liability for debts of the owner are strictly of U.S. origin. Under the English Common Law, a homestead right, a personal right to the peaceful, beneficial, and uninterrupted use of the home property free from the claims of creditors, did not exist. Homestead rights exist only through the constitutional and statutory provisions that create them. Nearly every state has enacted such provisions. The earliest ones were enacted in 1839 in the Republic of Texas.
The State of Washington has a statute that provides for an automatic homestead - RCW 6.13. This statute was created in 1981. Prior to this law it was necessary for homeowners to record a formal declaration of homestead. The homeowners who filed said declaration had protection, others had not. In Washington state, if you own a home, you have the homestead protection.
The following is for general informational purposes only
and should not be considered legal advice. Therefore, I
suggest that you contact an attorney for any legal advice
on your specific situation.
What is the purpose of the homestead exemption?
The homestead exemption gives you rights against many
debts you might incur through accident, illness or
misfortune. However, there are limitations and exceptions.
The policy underlying homestead laws is to provide a place
for the family where they may live free from the anxiety
that it may be taken from them.
How does the homestead exemption work?
Example: You own only one primary single family home valued at $300,000 with $150,000 mortgage. Judgment was brought to you $150,000 satisfaction of liens. In Washington state, the Homestead law protects homeowner to a limit of $125K. Here you have an equity of $150,000 and therefore creditors can take only $25,000 (150,000-125,000=25,000) when you sell (you might be forced to sell).
Example #2: In the scenario above, if you have $180,000 mortgage in the home worth $300,000, then the net proceeds from Homestead calculation is $300,000-$180,000=$120,000, which is less than $125,000 limit. Then the judgment against you can not force you to sell the home to satisfy the creditors.
What is a judgement lien?
When you owe someone money they are considered your
creditor. If a creditor sues and wins a judgment against
you, they can file a lien against your home. The homestead
exemption is protection against such liens.
What kind of property is covered?
A house, a condominium, a mobile home.
Who is eligible for this homestead exemption?
Every homeowner who resides in his or her home is
entitled to this protection. A person can only have one
valid homestead at a time.
Are there limits to the amount of equity protection?
The homestead exemption is up to $125,000. Also, the same
property may not be claimed separately by spouses to
increase the value of the exemption.
What situations are not covered by the homestead
exemption?
Judgment liens recorded will attach to the property. Loans
or debts secured by the property (mortgages, deeds of
trust, etc.) are not covered by the homestead exemption.
When you voluntarily put up your home as security against
a debt, a homestead will not protect it. When a contractor
or laborer puts labor or materials into repairs or
improvement on your property, and you do not pay him,
the homestead exemption will not protect against the
mechanic’s lien. Tax liens by federal, state and local
governments and debts arising from child support are also
not protected by homestead.
Does homestead protect my spouse if they do not own
our home?
When property is acquired by an unmarried individual who
later marries or enters into a domestic partnership or by a
married person as a separate estate, it is necessary to
determine if the spouse or domestic partner resides at the
subject property. Even if they are not a vested owner, if
they reside at the subject property they will need to join in
any conveyance in a sale transaction or security interest in
a refinance transaction to consent to the conveyance or
encumbrance of their homestead. A Quit Claim Deed to
their spouse or domestic partner is not sufficient.
What states have homestead exemption?
Alaska
Arkansas
California
Florida
Idaho
Iowa
Massachusetts
Michigan
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
South Dakota
Texas
Utah
Virginia
Washington
In others, you need to file The Declaration of Homestead.
For any specific situation or question, consult an attorney.
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