{"id":377108,"date":"2016-03-31T21:37:12","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:37:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/washington-law\/washington-homestead-laws.html"},"modified":"2016-06-20T19:51:09","modified_gmt":"2016-06-21T00:51:09","slug":"washington-homestead-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/washington-law\/washington-homestead-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Washington Homestead Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Washington 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

Homestead Laws In The U.S.<\/h2>\n

The Homestead Act of 1862 brought about significant and lasting changes to westward expansion efforts in the U.S<\/a>. It gave citizens the opportunity to claim free government land under certain circumstances. During the homesteading era over 1.6 million people claimed and settled more than 270 million acres of public land.<\/p>\n

Under the terms of this act, by paying modest fees, a head of household<\/a> could gain legal title to a 160-acre tract of public land<\/a> simply by clearing it, improving it and living on it for five (5) years.<\/p>\n

Homestead Laws Today<\/h2>\n

Today, each state has its own homestead laws, which can protect a certain portion of the property owned by the head of a household from being confiscated and sold to satisfy debts.<\/p>\n

Homestead protection laws are intended to prevent homeowners from becoming homeless in the event of extreme financial hardship. Specifically, individuals in danger of losing their home to foreclosure<\/a> may declare a limited portion of property as a "homestead" and thus off-limits to unsecured creditors.<\/p>\n

Washington Homestead Laws<\/h2>\n

Washington homestead laws<\/a> allow a maximum exemption of $125,000, but don’t specify a maximum acreage.<\/p>\n

Keep in mind, the homestead exemption doesn’t protect you from secured creditors such as your mortgage holder. If you don’t make your mortgage payments<\/a>, your lender can foreclose and sell your house at auction to pay off the loan despite a "homestead exemption."<\/p>\n

Other Exceptions To The Homestead Exemption<\/h2>\n

The following types of debts\/obligations are also exceptions:<\/p>\n