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Homestead Exemption Laws in Alabama

Alabama protects up to $18,800 of home equity (the $15,000 statutory base as adjusted for inflation since April 1, 2024), or $56,400 for owners 62 or older or with a disability from June 1, 2026, on up to 160 acres.

Last checked . General information, not legal advice.

Alabama at a glance

Exemption amount
$18,800 ($56,400 if 62+ or disabled)
The statute sets a $15,000 base; the bankruptcy court lists $18,800 as the adjusted amount effective April 1, 2024. Act 2026-203 adds $56,400 for owners 62 or older or with a disability from June 1, 2026.
Unlimited in value
No
Acreage limit
160 acres
The homestead may not exceed 160 acres in size.

Sources

Last checked

The rules in Alabama

How much home equity does the homestead exemption protect in Alabama?

Exemption amount in Alabama: $18,800 ($56,400 if 62+ or disabled). The statute sets a $15,000 base; the bankruptcy court lists $18,800 as the adjusted amount effective April 1, 2024. Act 2026-203 adds $56,400 for owners 62 or older or with a disability from June 1, 2026.

Is the homestead exemption unlimited in value in Alabama?

No. Unlimited in value in Alabama: no.

Is there an acreage limit on the homestead exemption in Alabama?

Acreage limit in Alabama: 160 acres. The homestead may not exceed 160 acres in size.

Where do the Alabama homestead exemption laws come from?

The rules above come from Ala. Code 6-10-2 and Ala. Act 2026-203. Each source is linked on this page. We last checked them in October 2026.

Good to know

Act 2026-203 (HB96), effective June 1, 2026, added the $56,400 amount for residents 62 or older and individuals with a disability, and provides that in bankruptcy the amount in effect on the petition date applies.

When spouses jointly own the homestead, each may claim the exemption separately.

What this means in practice

The exemption applies to equity, not to the full value of the home. Equity is the market value minus the mortgages and other liens on the property. A lender that holds a mortgage on the home, and certain other claims such as taxes on the property, can usually still be enforced against it regardless of the exemption.

Check whether you need to take a step to claim the protection. Some states protect a home automatically once it is your residence, while others require you to record a homestead declaration with the county or to claim the exemption in court when a creditor tries to collect.

In bankruptcy, federal law can limit a state homestead exemption for a home bought within a set period before the filing, and residency rules decide which state's exemptions apply if you moved recently. Some states also let filers choose the federal bankruptcy exemptions instead of the state list. A bankruptcy attorney can confirm which rules apply to your situation.

General information, not legal advice. Laws change, and cities can add their own rules, so check the current statute before you rely on it.