{"id":372879,"date":"2016-03-31T21:35:06","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:35:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ability-fl-prod.internetbrands.com\/ability-law\/state\/hawaii-law\/hawaii-homestead-laws.html"},"modified":"2026-09-15T10:46:57","modified_gmt":"2026-09-15T15:46:57","slug":"hawaii-homestead-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/hawaii-law\/hawaii-homestead-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Hawaii Homestead Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Hawaii Homestead Laws<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Lyle Therese A. Hilotin-Lee, 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

Hawaii’s<\/span> homestead exemption<\/span> protects a portion of your home’s equity from most creditors. The exemption limits are set at $30,000 for heads of family or people 65 and older, and $20,000 for everyone else. While these amounts have not changed since 1978, understanding how the exemption works is still an important part of protecting your home.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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The Hawaii<\/span> Revised Statutes<\/span> don\u2019t require you to file any paperwork to trigger the homestead exemption<\/span> in a creditor proceeding. The protection applies automatically under the state of <\/span>Hawaii<\/span> law. Like most legal protections, the rules come with conditions, limits, and exceptions.<\/p>\n

If you have significant debt and want to understand how Hawaii’s<\/span> homestead exemption<\/span> applies to your situation, contact a\u00a0Hawaii<\/span> bankruptcy attorney<\/a>. They can help you weigh your options and ensure you claim every protection available to you.<\/p>\n

What Is the Hawaii<\/span> Homestead Exemption<\/span>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The Hawai’i<\/span>\u00a0homestead exemption<\/span><\/a>\u00a0allows property owners<\/span> to protect a set amount of home equity from certain creditors. If a creditor tries to force the sale of your home to collect a debt, the exemption protects a portion of your equity and can often block the sale.<\/p>\n

Unlike some states, Hawaii<\/span> doesn\u2019t require you to record a formal declaration of homestead to receive this protection in a creditor lawsuit or levy proceeding. The\u00a0exemption applies automatically<\/a>\u00a0under state law<\/span>. However, if you file for bankruptcy, you must claim it on your bankruptcy paperwork.<\/p>\n

How Much Equity Does Hawaii<\/span> Protect?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Hawaii<\/span> law<\/a>\u00a0limits the homestead exemption<\/span> to two amounts, depending on who you are:<\/p>\n