BOZEMAN, Mont. (NMB) – Montana State University Extension has a guide regarding homestead declaration and the benefits it gives homeowners.
A homestead includes a house a person lives in and the land on which it sits. A mobile home or manufactured home where the owners do not own the land is also considered a homestead. The property must be a person’s primary residence for it to be eligible for a homestead declaration.
Even though a spouse may not be listed on the deed or other documents of title or may not have directly contributed money to pay for the property, the spouse has a legal interest in the property because of the marriage.
Montana has no standard homestead declaration form, although many county clerk and recorders have examples.
More information can be found in the MontGuide “Using a Homestead Declaration to Protect Your Home from Creditors” at http://store.msuextension.org/publications/FamilyFinancialManagement/MT199815HR.pdf. Printed copies are also available from county or reservation Extension offices.
