{"id":371434,"date":"2016-03-31T21:34:19","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:34:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ability-fl-prod.internetbrands.com\/ability-law\/state\/alaska-law\/alaska-homestead-laws.html"},"modified":"2026-07-30T10:59:42","modified_gmt":"2026-07-30T15:59:42","slug":"alaska-homestead-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/alaska-law\/alaska-homestead-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Alaska Homestead Exemption in Bankruptcy"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Alaska Homestead Exemption in Bankruptcy<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Susan Buckner, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Catherine Hodder, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

The Alaska Bankruptcy Homestead Exemption<\/span> protects up to $72,900 of primary home <\/span>equity<\/span> during a bankruptcy or foreclosure<\/span>.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

The Alaska Exemptions Act provides Alaska residents with a number of protections against forced sale by creditors in the event of bankruptcy or foreclosure<\/span>. The state of Alaska gives its citizens the option of using state or federal exemptions in bankruptcy to keep most of their property safe from creditors.<\/p>\n

Would-be homesteaders should know that these protections are different from the \u201cHomestead Act\u201d of 1862, when the U.S. government opened up Alaska to anyone who wanted to claim a parcel of land and stake a homestead claim. The current homestead exemption<\/span> applies to privately owned property.Anyone trying to homestead on public land will be escorted to a public jail.<\/p>\n

Alaska Homestead Laws<\/h2>\n

Alaska state law (Alaska Stat. \u00a7 09.38.010<\/span><\/a>) exempts up to $72,900 of home <\/span>equity<\/span> for a single filer. Alaska does not permit married couples (or tenants in common) filing a joint petition<\/span> to double their filing amount. The total exempted amount is adjusted in even-numbered years, so bankruptcy filers should check with an attorney before filing.<\/p>\n

Homeowners do not need to apply for a homestead exemption<\/span>. If they plan to use the exemption, they must list the property on their Chapter 7<\/span> or Chapter 13<\/span> bankruptcy petition<\/span>. Property owners should note that this differs from the property tax exemption<\/a>, which you do need to apply for with the county assessor\u2019s office.<\/p>\n

The homestead exemption<\/span> only applies to your principal residence<\/span>. In Alaska, this can be any dwelling or parcel of land as long as you live there. Under the state law, the following are required to establish a principal residence<\/span>:<\/p>\n