HB179 Alabama 2012 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Steve ClouseRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2012

Title

Homestead exemption, increased for protection against confiscation of a homestead for debts, Sec. 6-10-2 am'd.

Summary

HB179 would raise Alabama's homestead exemption from debts, increasing protection to $20,000 for married couples and $10,000 for individuals, while keeping the 160-acre limit.

What This Bill Does

Under current law, a homestead is protected from debt collection up to 160 acres and a value of $10,000 for couples or $5,000 for individuals. HB179 would raise those value protections to $20,000 for married couples and $10,000 for individuals. It preserves that each spouse can claim the exemption separately when a homestead is jointly owned, and it keeps the mobile home rule that a mobile home can be treated as a homestead. The exemption would take effect on the first day of the third month after the bill becomes law.

Who It Affects

• Married couples who own a homestead: protection increases to $20,000.
• Individual homeowners: protection increases to $10,000.

Key Provisions

• Increases the homestead exemption for protection against debt collection to $20,000 for married couples and $10,000 for individuals, while maintaining a 160-acre area limit.
• When a husband and wife jointly own a homestead, each can claim the exemption separately, with the same value as an unmarried individual.
• Mobile homes or similar dwellings used as the principal residence are treated as homesteads for exemption purposes; the act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Homestead Exemption