A homestead does not protect you against: Foreclosure of your home by mortgage lender if you are behind on payments; The enforcement of a mechanic's lien; A judgment for child or spousal support.
Between 1862 and 1934, the federal government granted 1.6 million homesteads and distributed 270,000,000 acres (420,000 sq mi) of federal land for private ownership. This was a total of 10% of all land in the United States. Homesteading was discontinued in 1976, except in Alaska, where it continued until 1986.
Homestead declaration protects against attachment, seizure, execution on judgment, levy or sale for the payment of debts up to one million dollars ($1,000,000) per residence, per family.
The Massachusetts Homestead Act is a law under which a homeowner is protected by an Estate of Homestead. A homestead estate provides limited protection of the value of the home, up to $1,000,000, against unsecured creditor claims.
As stated above, if you are a homeowner whose primary residence is a property in Massachusetts, you automatically receive up to $125,000 in Homestead Exemption protection. Anyone who owns and occupies a primary residence in Massachusetts may apply for additional Homestead Exemption protection.
Up to $1,000,000 of Protection is Available. You can file a formal Declaration of Homestead to protect up to $1,000,000 of your home's value. A Declaration of Homestead becomes effective when it is signed by all the property's owners and recorded at the Registry of Deeds.
Currently eleven municipalities in Massachusetts use the residential exemption: Boston, Brookline, Cambridge, Chelsea, Marlboro, Nantucket, Somerset, Somerville, Tisbury, Waltham, and Watertown.
In order for homeowners in Massachusetts to protect the value of their property up to five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) per residence, per family, you must file a document called a “Declaration of Homestead”.
The Massachusetts Homestead Act is a law under which a homeowner is protected by an Estate of Homestead. A homestead estate provides limited protection of the value of the home, up to $1,000,000, against unsecured creditor claims.
Unlike some other states (Florida being the most frequent example we are given), there is no "homestead exemption" in Massachusetts. The homestead document you may have filed with the Registry of Deeds does not have any effect on your real estate taxes.