The New Mexico Homestead Exemption

Learn how the New Mexico homestead exemption can protect your home equity from creditors in a bankruptcy case.

By , Attorney
Get debt relief now. We've helped 205 clients find attorneys today.

There was a problem with the submission. Please refresh the page and try again
Full Name is required
Email is required
Please add a valid Email
Phone Number is required
Please add a valid Phone Number
Zip Code is required
Please add a valid Zip Code
Description is required
By clicking "Find a Lawyer", you agree to the Martindale-Nolo Texting Terms. Martindale-Nolo and up to 5 participating attorneys may contact you on the number you provided for marketing purposes, discuss available services, etc. Messages may be sent using pre-recorded messages, auto-dialer or other automated technology. You are not required to provide consent as a condition of service. Attorneys have the option, but are not required, to send text messages to you. You will receive up to 2 messages per week from Martindale-Nolo. Frequency from attorney may vary. Message and data rates may apply. Your number will be held in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

You should not send any sensitive or confidential information through this site. Any information sent through this site does not create an attorney-client relationship and may not be treated as privileged or confidential. The lawyer or law firm you are contacting is not required to, and may choose not to, accept you as a client. The Internet is not necessarily secure and emails sent through this site could be intercepted or read by third parties.

Most people want to know whether they can keep valuable property before filing for bankruptcy—especially a home. If you qualify to use the New Mexico homestead exemption, you can protect some or all of the equity in your house. In this article, we explain:

  • how much the New Mexico homestead exemption will cover, and
  • how to apply it in your bankruptcy case.

For more bankruptcy information, read How To File Bankruptcy in New Mexico.



Homestead Exemptions Available in a New Mexico Bankruptcy

New Mexico lets filers use either the federal exemption system or New Mexico's state exemption system, so you'll have two homestead amounts to choose between. However, you can't mix exemptions from both lists, so you'll want to select the system that will protect your most important assets.

To help you make an informed choice, we've listed both exemption amounts below. We've also included links to more complete federal and state exemption lists so you'll have an easier time deciding which set will work best for you.

If you're married, keep in mind that spouses can double some exemption amounts, but not all. Find out about other filing considerations for spouses.

Federal Homestead Exemption

New Mexico Homestead Exemption

Homestead exemption

$27,900

$60,000

Can spouses who file a joint bankruptcy double the exemption?

$55,800 is available to spouses who co-own property.

$120,000 is available to spouses who co-own property.

Homestead exemption law

11 U.S.C. § 522(d)(1)

N.M. Stat. Ann. § 42-10-9

Other information

Amounts will adjust on April 1, 2025.

Amounts adjust periodically.

Compare other federal and state exemptions.

Federal Bankruptcy Exemptions

New Mexico Bankruptcy Exemptions

Property Protected by New Mexico's Homestead Exemption

In New Mexico, the homestead exemption applies to the dwelling and the land. If the homeowner does not own the land, the homeowner must be leasing or purchasing the land.

Timing Your New Mexico Bankruptcy

You can file for bankruptcy in New Mexico after living there for more than 180 days. However, you must live in New Mexico much longer before using New Mexico exemptions—at least 730 days before filing, to be exact. Otherwise, you'd use the previous state's exemptions.

But suppose you lived in multiple states during the two years before filing for bankruptcy. In that case, you'd use the exemptions of the state you lived in for most of the 180 days before the two-year period that immediately preceded your filing. (11 U.S.C. § 522(b)(3)(A).) Learn more about filing for bankruptcy after moving to a new state.

Claiming the New Mexico Bankruptcy Homestead Exemption

In New Mexico, the homestead exemption is automatic – you don't have to file a homestead declaration with the recorder's office to claim the homestead exemption in bankruptcy. Instead, when filing for bankruptcy, you'll list your homestead exemption on Schedule C: The Property You Claim as Exempt when completing your bankruptcy forms. You can find out about other requirements you'll need to meet in Your Home in Chapter 7 or Your Home in Chapter 13.

Finding the New Mexico Bankruptcy Homestead Exemption Statute

You'll find New Mexico's homestead exemption in the New Mexico Statutes Annotated at § 42-10-9 in the New Mexico's online law library and on the New Mexico Compilation Commission website. Learn about finding state statutes in Laws and Legal Research.

Need More Bankruptcy Help?

Did you know Nolo has been making the law easy for over fifty years? It's true—and we want to make sure you find what you need. Below you'll find more articles explaining how bankruptcy works. And don't forget that our bankruptcy homepage is the best place to start if you have other questions!


Our Editor's Picks for You

More Like This

How to File for Bankruptcy in Your State

Which Bankruptcy Chapter Should I File to Keep My House?

Can I Keep My Car in Chapter 7 Bankruptcy?

What to Consider Before Filing Bankruptcy

What Not to Do Before Bankruptcy

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy—Who Can't File?

Options If You Can't Afford a Bankruptcy Lawyer

Helpful Bankruptcy Sites

Department of Justice U.S. Trustee Program

United States Courts Bankruptcy Forms


We wholeheartedly encourage research and learning, but online articles can't address all bankruptcy issues or the facts of your case. The best way to protect your assets in bankruptcy is by hiring a local bankruptcy lawyer.

Updated April 7, 2022

Get Professional Help
Get debt relief now.
We've helped 205 clients find attorneys today.
There was a problem with the submission. Please refresh the page and try again
Full Name is required
Email is required
Please add a valid Email
Phone Number is required
Please add a valid Phone Number
Zip Code is required
Please add a valid Zip Code
Description is required
By clicking "Find a Lawyer", you agree to the Martindale-Nolo Texting Terms. Martindale-Nolo and up to 5 participating attorneys may contact you on the number you provided for marketing purposes, discuss available services, etc. Messages may be sent using pre-recorded messages, auto-dialer or other automated technology. You are not required to provide consent as a condition of service. Attorneys have the option, but are not required, to send text messages to you. You will receive up to 2 messages per week from Martindale-Nolo. Frequency from attorney may vary. Message and data rates may apply. Your number will be held in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

You should not send any sensitive or confidential information through this site. Any information sent through this site does not create an attorney-client relationship and may not be treated as privileged or confidential. The lawyer or law firm you are contacting is not required to, and may choose not to, accept you as a client. The Internet is not necessarily secure and emails sent through this site could be intercepted or read by third parties.

How It Works

  1. Briefly tell us about your case
  2. Provide your contact information
  3. Choose attorneys to contact you