{"id":377318,"date":"2016-03-31T21:37:19","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:37:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/wisconsin-law\/wisconsin-homestead-laws.html"},"modified":"2016-06-20T14:00:00","modified_gmt":"2016-06-20T19:00:00","slug":"wisconsin-homestead-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/wisconsin-law\/wisconsin-homestead-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Wisconsin Homestead Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Wisconsin 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

For anyone who has been in a bit of a financial bind, there is always the worry that you\u2019ll lose your home. Fortunately, most states have what are known as homestead protection laws<\/a> that can protect us from becoming homeless as a result of economic hardship. These laws allow individuals to designate a piece of property as a "homestead," which can shield it from certain creditors. This is a quick introduction to homestead laws in Wisconsin.<\/p>\r\n

Wisconsin Homestead Statutes<\/h2>\r\n

Like many other states, Wisconsin places limits on the minimum and maximum acreage that can be designated as a homestead: no less than \u00bc acre and no more than 40 acres. This goes for both urban and rural parcels of property. And under Badger State law, the homestead cannot be valued at more than $40,000 for a single individual. Wisconsin homestead laws are highlighted in the table below.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

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

815.20; 990.01 (14)<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

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

$40,000<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

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

Not less than 1\/4 acre or more than 40 acres<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

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

Same as urban<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\r\n

Exceptions to Wisconsin Homestead Laws<\/h2>\r\n

Even Wisconsin\u2019s homestead protections aren\u2019t perfect. There may be situations where creditors could still force the sale of property to collect debts owed to them. Four general exceptions to homestead laws are:<\/p>\r\n