The Massachusetts Homestead law allows you to have a certain amount of protection on your home from potential creditors and/or lawsuits.

 

MA changed its Homestead Law, effective in March, 2011 (but existing Homesteads will carry forward under the new law).

 

The primary provisions of the current Homestead law are:

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• Provides $125,000 of automatic protection to any primary residence (WITHOUT having to record a Homestead at the Registry of Deeds)

• Provides up to $1million of protection for those who record a Homestead at the Registry of Deeds (up to $2 million for 2 owners who are both over age 62).

• Allows Homestead protection for Trusts.  This means that you can re-title your home into Trust to avoid the probate process at death, and still get the creditor protection from the Homestead.

• Clarifies that refinancing a mortgage will not terminate or invalidate previously filed homesteads.

 

The recording fee (payable to the Registry of Deeds) for a Homestead is $36.