property
homestead
A homestead is the land and home a family occupies as its principal residence. In many states, homestead laws protect some or all of the home's value from certain unsecured creditors, and some states also require both spouses to sign to sell or mortgage it. Homestead protection usually does not shield the home from mortgages, property taxes, or mechanics liens. The amount and type of protection varies widely by state.
- Exam tip
- Homestead protection guards against general unsecured creditors, not against the mortgage lender or the tax collector. Don't confuse it with the homestead exemption, which reduces property taxes.
- Example
- A credit card company wins a judgment against a homeowner, but a state homestead law protects $50,000 of the home's equity from that judgment.
Related terms & state variants
Sources
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Last verified: 2026-10-23