Questions & Answers

Ownership circumstances that require Homestead Declaration filing include the following:

• Owners with a life estate interest who occupy the dwelling as their principal residence must file.
• Certain trusts may qualify as a homestead.
• An estate holding a residence that was the homestead of the deceased person at the time of death may file a homestead if the residence is not rented.
• When the residence is owned by the estate of the decease spouse, the widow or widower may file a homestead declaration as long as it is likely that the residence will pass to the widow or widower when the estate is settled.