Q: I own my residence with my wife and a friend mentioned that I should record something called a declaration of homestead because I have been sued and a judgment may be entered against me, but I do not know what it is, how to prepare it, or what benefit it may provide to me. Should I prepare and record a homestead declaration and what do I need to do to have it become effective?

A: So long as the statutory specified procedures are followed, any owner of a residence can declare that it is the owner’s homestead. Article XVII of the California Constitution creates the right and the California Code of Civil Procedure, sections 704.720 through 704.995 provide the statutory procedures that must be followed to declare a homestead. The owner does not have to be a citizen of the United States, and an unmarried person can record a declaration on his or her undivided interest in the property that is owned in co‐tenancy with the other owner. Read more Every Owner Should Record a Homestead Declaration to Protect Equity in a Residence from Creditors ›