Mass. G.L. c. 188

Massachusetts Real Estate Calculators

Massachusetts homestead protection — automatic $125K, declared $500K, $1M for elderly/disabled. Carve-outs, joint-owner stacking, declaration mechanics at the Registry of Deeds.

Anchored to: Mass. G.L. c. 188

1 calculator live. Reviewed against current statute and regulation. Last updated 2026-05-15.

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Mass. G.L. c. 188 §§ 1–10

Massachusetts Homestead Declaration Calculator (Ch. 188)

Determine how much equity a Massachusetts homeowner's primary residence is shielding from unsecured creditors under the Mass. Homestead Act (G.L. c. 188): the automatic $125,000 protection under § 4, the declared $500,000 under § 5, and the $1,000,000 elderly / disabled tier under § 2 (raised from $500,000 by the 2024 amendment). Surfaces the five obligations that overcome the homestead under § 3 (mortgage, mechanic's lien, property tax, federal tax lien, child support / alimony), explains joint-owner stacking under § 10, and flags when a one-page Declaration at the Registry of Deeds would buy material additional protection for a nominal filing fee.

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Massachusetts Homestead Declaration Calculator (Ch. 188)
Determine how much equity a Massachusetts homeowner's primary residence is shielding from unsecured creditors under the Mass. Homestead Act (G.L. c. 188): the automatic $125,000 protection under § 4, the declared $500,000 under § 5, and the $1,000,000 elderly / disabled tier under § 2 (raised from $500,000 by the 2024 amendment). Surfaces the five obligations that overcome the homestead under § 3 (mortgage, mechanic's lien, property tax, federal tax lien, child support / alimony), explains joint-owner stacking under § 10, and flags when a one-page Declaration at the Registry of Deeds would buy material additional protection for a nominal filing fee.

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Massachusetts Homestead Declaration Calculator (Ch. 188)
Determine how much equity a Massachusetts homeowner's primary residence is shielding from unsecured creditors under the Mass. Homestead Act (G.L. c. 188): the automatic $125,000 protection under § 4, the declared $500,000 under § 5, and the $1,000,000 elderly / disabled tier under § 2 (raised from $500,000 by the 2024 amendment). Surfaces the five obligations that overcome the homestead under § 3 (mortgage, mechanic's lien, property tax, federal tax lien, child support / alimony), explains joint-owner stacking under § 10, and flags when a one-page Declaration at the Registry of Deeds would buy material additional protection for a nominal filing fee.

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Every YMYL calculator is reviewed quarterly and after every legislative session in the jurisdiction it covers. Citations are link-validated monthly against the relevant statute and regulation websites. The methodology page documents the discipline.

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