{"id":376749,"date":"2016-03-31T21:37:00","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:37:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/utah-law\/utah-homestead-laws.html"},"modified":"2016-06-20T19:51:44","modified_gmt":"2016-06-21T00:51:44","slug":"utah-homestead-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/utah-law\/utah-homestead-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Utah Homestead Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Utah Homestead Laws<\/h1>\n
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Created by FindLaw’s team<\/a> of legal writers and editors<\/i><\/p>\n\n | Last updated\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

Many people dream of owning a home, and when they do, their nightmare is losing it. Especially if they have significant debt and the creditors come calling, their first concern is probably their home. <\/p>\n

Fortunately for homeowners in the Beehive State, homestead protection laws<\/a> are in place, intended to protect people from losing their homes in the event of a bankruptcy. Under homestead statutes, a person in debt is allowed to set aside a specific amount of real property, referred to as a "homestead," that would be off limits to some creditors. This is an introduction to homestead laws in Utah.<\/p>\n

Homestead Statutes in Utah<\/h2>\n

Each state\u2019s homestead laws<\/a> can vary, especially in the limits they place on the value or acreage of property to be designated as a homestead. Utah law doesn\u2019t reference acreage, and instead limits the homestead exemption to $20,000 if the property is the person\u2019s primary residence. The table below lists Utah\u2019s homestead statutes.<\/p>\n\n

Code Section<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

Utah Code 78B-5-501, et seq.<\/a>: Utah Exemptions Act<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>

Max. Property Value That May Be Designated ‘Homestead’<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

$5,000 if property is not primary personal residence, $20,000 if property is primary personal residence<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>

Maximum Acreage (Urban)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

–<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>

Maximum Acreage (Rural)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

–<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n

Homestead Exceptions<\/h2>\n

Unfortunately, Utah\u2019s homestead exemption laws might not protect you from every creditor. There are four general exceptions under which you may still be forced to sell or forfeit property or real estate:<\/p>\n