Legal Question in Civil Rights Law in California

I have not filed a homestead declaration for my home in california

Someone just got a judgement lien against me which is recorded in the county where my home is located

Is it too late to file a homestead declaration.

If not, how much would it cost to get it filed in Contra Costa County, How fast can it be done. How much will it protect my wife and me.

Currently the loan on the property and arrearages are close to what the property is worth. Is it likely my judgement creditor will go after my home and wages


Asked on 8/10/09, 5:21 am

1 Answer from Attorneys

Larry L. Doan Law Office of Larry L. Doan

The judgment lien already attached to your house. However, the homestead exemption is automatically $75,000 in California for a married couple even if there is no declared homestead (or $150,000 if one of you is over 65, or disabled, or you're over 55 and combined gross income is $20,000 or less). So, if the house has equity less than that, the judgment creditor cannot force its sale. Filing a declared homestead will protect you from future liens that are less than the sum of your loan and encumbrances and the exemption amount.

There is no standard form for a declared homestead. It is something that usually is prepared by an attorney with all the required information stated on the declaration, and then recorded with the County Recorder/Registrar. The cost depends on the county but it's the standard fee per page in your county, probably about $6 per page. As far as your wages, the judgment creditor is allowed to garnish that up to a limit of a certain amount.

I'd be happy to help you with the declared homestead.

Larry L. Doan, Esq.

https://www.lawguru.com/cgi/bbs/attyPages/liem.html

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Answered on 8/10/09, 1:40 pm


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