The Mississippi Homestead Exemption

If you reside in Mississippi and file for bankruptcy, the Mississippi homestead exemption allows you to protect some of the equity in your home. Read on to get specific information about the homestead exemption in Mississippi.

For information about how the homestead exemption works in both Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy, see The Homestead Exemption in Bankruptcy. For more articles on exemptions, see our Bankruptcy Exemptions area.

The Mississippi Homestead Exemption Amount

Under the Mississippi exemption system, homeowners may exempt up to $75,000 of their home (property they own and occupy) or other property covered by the homestead exemption.

If you are over the age of 60 and you are either married or widowed, you can exempt property you own but no longer live in if you did live there at one time.

The homestead exemption is limited to 160 acres.

Doubling for Married Couples

Mississippi allows married couples to double their exemptions. This means that if a married couple files bankruptcy jointly, they can double the homestead exemption if they jointly own the property, providing an exemption of $150,000. 

The Scope of the Mississippi Homestead Exemption

In Mississippi the homestead exemption applies to real property, including your home or condominium. However, the exemption does not apply to a mobile home unless you also own the land on which the mobile home sits.

The exemption also includes proceeds from the sale of your homestead. 

Can You Use the Federal Bankruptcy Exemptions in Mississippi?

Some states allow bankruptcy filers to use the federal bankruptcy exemptions instead of the state exemptions. Mississippi is not one of those states. If you reside in Mississippi you must use the state exemptions.

(To learn more about which state exemptions apply to you, see Which Exemptions Can You Use in Bankruptcy?)

Homestead Declarations

In Mississippi, you may file a homestead declaration (a form filed with the county recorder’s office to put on record your right to a homestead exemption) before you file for bankruptcy, but it is not required. Contact your county recorder for information on how to file a homestead declaration.

Real Property Held as Tenancy in the Entirety in Mississippi

If property is held as a tenancy in the entirety, it means the property is jointly owned by a married couple as a single marital entity, not as individuals. In Missouri, property held as tenants by the entirety may be fully exempt; however, the matter is not settled. If you own property this way, it might be wise to consult with a local bankruptcy attorney.

Finding the Mississippi Homestead Exemption Statute

Mississippi’s homestead exemption is found in the Mississippi state statutes at Miss. Code Ann. § 85-3-1 and Miss. Code Ann. § 85-3-21 . To learn how to find state statutes, check out Nolo’s Laws and Legal Research area.