{"id":374900,"date":"2016-03-31T21:35:56","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:35:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ability-fl-prod.internetbrands.com\/ability-law\/state\/new-hampshire-law\/new-hampshire-homestead-laws.html"},"modified":"2026-08-18T16:03:52","modified_gmt":"2026-08-18T21:03:52","slug":"new-hampshire-homestead-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/new-hampshire-law\/new-hampshire-homestead-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"New Hampshire Homestead Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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New Hampshire Homestead Laws<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Christie Nicholson, 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 New Hampshire<\/span> homestead exemption<\/span> protects home equity in a primary residence<\/span> up to $400,000 for single filers and $550,000 for co-owners against creditor claims in bankruptcy. To be eligible, homeowners<\/span> must meet residency and ownership requirements, properly claim the protection on Schedule C, and maintain title to the real property<\/span>.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

There\u2019s often concern that filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy<\/span> means the trustee may sell your house to pay off creditors. While this is a very real possibility, especially for debtors who have a lot of equity in their primary residence<\/span>, there are protections in place that may help you keep your family home.<\/p>\n

New Hampshire<\/span>, like most other states, offers debtors a homestead exemption<\/span><\/a>. Under RSA<\/span> Section 480:1<\/a>, the New Hampshire<\/span> homestead exemption<\/span> is one of the most generous in the county. It allows you to protect up to $400,000 (single filers) and $550,000 (married couples<\/span><\/a> and co-owners).<\/p>\n

This article examines and explains the New Hampshire<\/span> homestead exemption<\/span>, including amounts and limitations. It also shows you how to claim the exemption if you file Chapter 7<\/a> or Chapter 13 bankruptcy<\/a>. If you\u2019re considering filing bankruptcy or have questions about your state\u2019s homestead exemption<\/span>, contact a local bankruptcy attorney<\/a>.<\/p>\n

How Does the Homestead Exemption<\/span> Work in Bankruptcy?<\/h2>\n

When you file bankruptcy, you must provide the trustee with several \u201cSchedules<\/a>.\u201d One is a list of your assets, while another is a list of the exemptions you intend to claim.<\/p>\n

If you own your primary residence<\/span>, you must list the property on your asset schedule<\/a>. You must also provide the fair market value or most recently assessed value of the home.<\/p>\n

The best way to protect the equity in your home and keep it from being sold to pay off creditors is to claim the \u201chomestead exemption<\/span>,\u201d which you must cite on \u201cSchedule C<\/a>.\u201d In New Hampshire<\/span>, you must list the following information when claiming the state homestead exemption<\/span>:<\/p>\n