{"id":373654,"date":"2016-03-31T21:35:24","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:35:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ability-fl-prod.internetbrands.com\/ability-law\/state\/louisiana-law\/louisiana-homestead-laws.html"},"modified":"2026-08-03T16:10:44","modified_gmt":"2026-08-03T21:10:44","slug":"louisiana-homestead-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/louisiana-law\/louisiana-homestead-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Louisiana Homestead Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n

Louisiana Homestead Laws<\/h1>\n\n
\n
\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
\n

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
\n

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

\n
\n
\n

Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

Louisiana homestead laws provide homeowners<\/span> with property <\/span>tax<\/span> exemptions<\/span> and protect up to $35,000 of home equity from creditor seizure or bankruptcy. The tax exemption<\/span> shields the first $7,500 of assessed value<\/span>, or roughly $75,000 of fair market value<\/span>, from state and parish<\/span> ad valorem taxes<\/span>.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Louisiana protects your home in two different ways. One exemption lowers your property taxes<\/span>, while the other shields your home equity from creditors and in bankruptcy. The dollar limits differ, so it\u2019s important to know which exemption applies to your situation.<\/p>\n

If you ever face serious financial trouble, your first worry may be your home. Louisiana’s\u00a0<\/span>homestead exemption<\/span> laws<\/a>\u00a0provide homeowners<\/span> with meaningful protection, but the rules are complex. If you\u2019re navigating bankruptcy or dealing with creditor pressure, a\u00a0Louisiana bankruptcy attorney<\/a>\u00a0can explain which protections apply to your home and how to preserve them.<\/p>\n

Overview of Louisiana Homestead Law<\/h2>\n

Louisiana’s homestead protections come from two primary sources. The first is the\u00a0Louisiana Constitution<\/span><\/a>, specifically Article VII<\/span>, which establishes the property tax<\/span> homestead exemption<\/span>. The second is\u00a0Louisiana’s Revised Statutes<\/a>, which govern exemptions from seizure and sale, the protection that matters most in bankruptcy and creditor proceedings.<\/p>\n

Each exemption serves a different purpose and has its own dollar limit. You must\u00a0apply for the property <\/span>tax<\/span> exemption<\/span><\/a>\u00a0through your parish<\/span> assessor<\/span>. The creditor protection exemption stays in place automatically and does not require a yearly filing.<\/p>\n

Homestead Exemption<\/span> Limits in Louisiana<\/h2>\n

The two Louisiana <\/span>homestead exemptions<\/span> use different dollar amounts, which can cause confusion. Let\u2019s take a closer look at each one.<\/p>\n

For\u00a0property tax<\/span> purposes<\/strong>, the state\u00a0exempts the first $7,500<\/a>\u00a0of assessed value<\/span> from state, parish<\/span>, and special ad valorem taxes<\/span>. Because Louisiana residential property<\/span> is generally assessed at 10% of market value, this translates to roughly the first $75,000 of fair market value<\/span>. For most homeowners<\/span>, depending on the local millage rate<\/span>, this saves between $750 and $800 per year in property taxes<\/span>.<\/p>\n

For\u00a0creditor and bankruptcy protection<\/strong>, a separate exemption\u00a0shields up to $35,000<\/a>\u00a0in home equity from seizure and sale under any writ or court process. This is the figure that controls debt collection and bankruptcy proceedings.<\/p>\n

Acreage limits also differ depending on which exemption applies. The property <\/span>tax<\/span> exemption<\/span> covers a homestead of up to 160 acres. For the creditor seizure exemption, urban homesteads are limited to five contiguous acres. Rural homesteads outside a municipality<\/span> may include up to 200 acres.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re facing a\u00a0catastrophic or terminal illness<\/a>, you may be able to protect your home’s full fair market value<\/span>. The value is based on what it was worth one year before any attempt to seize it.<\/p>\n

Special Exemptions Based on Status<\/h2>\n

Louisiana provides additional property <\/span>tax<\/span> relief<\/span> for certain groups of property owners<\/span> beyond the standard homestead exemption<\/span>. This can lead to significant savings.<\/p>\n

Disabled veterans<\/span><\/h3>\n

Effective on January 1, 2023, disabled veterans<\/span> with a service-connected <\/span>disability<\/span> rating<\/span> from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs receive tiered exemptions on top of the base homestead exemption<\/span>. A rating between 50% and 69% adds $2,500 in assessed value<\/span> to your exemption, which equals roughly $25,000 in fair market value<\/span>. A rating between 70% and 99% adds $4,500 in assessed value<\/span>, or roughly $45,000 in fair market value<\/span>. A 100% disability rating<\/span> exempts the full remaining assessed value<\/span> of the property. Veterans seeking these benefits should contact the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs for an updated form reflecting their current home address.<\/p>\n

First responders<\/h3>\n

Law enforcement officers and first responders who live in the same parish<\/span> where they work may qualify for an extra $2,500 in assessed value<\/span> under\u00a0Louisiana’s Constitution<\/span><\/a>. This includes full-time law enforcement, fire protection, emergency medical services, and rapid-response personnel.<\/p>\n

Homeowners<\/span> who are 65 or older or permanently disabled<\/h3>\n

If you are 65 years of age<\/span> or older or permanently disabled, you may qualify for a\u00a0Special Assessment<\/span> Level Freeze<\/a>. This keeps your assessed value<\/span> from rising above the amount set in your first qualifying year, as long as your income stays below the Louisiana Tax Commission’s current limit, which is headquartered in Baton Rouge<\/span>.<\/p>\n

Qualifying Property Types<\/h2>\n

Under\u00a0Louisiana’s homestead seizure exemption<\/a>, a qualifying homestead is a residence you occupy as the owner. This includes the land it sits on, any buildings and improvements, and contiguous tracts within the applicable acreage limits.<\/p>\n

Some less obvious types of property may also\u00a0qualify for homestead protection<\/a>. Let\u2019s take a look:<\/p>\n