The $605,000 ShieldYou Have to Switch On Yourself
Nevada protects more home equity from creditors than almost any state in the country — but the protection doesn't switch on when you close. You have to file a one-page form first.
Most Nevada homeowners have never heard of the Declaration of Homestead — and that's the problem. Unlike your deed or your loan documents, this protection isn't automatic. If life throws a lawsuit, a medical bill, or a business debt at you, whether your home equity is shielded can come down to a form you never filed.
Protection you have to claim. Nevada's homestead exemption is powerful — but only once it's recorded.
Four Numbers From NRS Chapter 115
What the Homestead Exemption Actually Does
Under NRS 115.010, Nevada shields up to $605,000 of equity in a primary residence — a single-family home, condo, or mobile home — from most general creditors. That figure was raised from $550,000 by the Legislature and applies statewide. Equity is the key word: it's your home's value minus what you still owe, not the home's full price.
The protection reaches unpaid medical bills, credit card debt, personal or business loans, bankruptcy proceedings, and most lawsuit judgments. If a creditor without a specific lien on your home tries to force a sale to collect, a properly recorded homestead stands between them and your equity, up to the statutory cap.
The exemption protects a qualifying owner's equity in a principal dwelling from forced sale to satisfy many types of creditor claims.— Nevada Revised Statutes Chapter 115
Know the limits. Homestead protects against many creditors — but not the ones you agreed to pay.
What Homestead Does & Doesn't Cover
General, Unsecured Creditors
- Unpaid medical bills
- Credit card and personal debt
- Business loan judgments
- Most bankruptcy proceedings
- Most lawsuit / accident judgments
Secured & Statutory Claims
- Your own mortgage or deed of trust
- Mechanic's liens for unpaid contractors
- HOA liens for unpaid assessments
- Property taxes (NRS 115.080)
- Spousal / child support and Medicaid recovery
How to Record a Homestead Declaration
Where to File
Homestead declarations are recorded at the Clark County Recorder's Office. You are not permitted to get legal help completing the form there — for questions about your specific situation, consult a Nevada attorney.
Two different forms, two different jobs. Homestead protects equity from creditors; the tax cap limits your annual bill.
Buyers, Sellers & Current Owners
◆ If You're Buying
- File it soon after closing. Nevada allows filing at almost any time before a forced sale, but there's no reason to wait once you own the home.
- It's separate from your tax cap filing. Budget a few minutes for each — they don't happen automatically together.
- Update it after major changes. Marriage, divorce, or refinancing can affect your declaration — review it when life changes.
◆ If You're Selling
- Know the reinvestment clock. If a judgment creditor is involved, sale proceeds stay protected only if you identify a new home within 45 days and take possession within 180 days.
- Homestead doesn't block your own mortgage payoff. It only shields equity from outside creditors, not the lender you agreed to repay.
- Talk to an attorney if a judgment is pending. Timing a sale around homestead protection is a legal question, not a listing question.
Protecting What You've Built?
Legacy Real Estate Group makes sure clients leave closing knowing exactly which protections to file — homestead, tax cap, and beyond.
Sources: Nevada Revised Statutes Chapter 115 (Homesteads), including NRS 115.010, 115.020 & 115.055; Clark County Recorder's Office; Nevada Real Estate Division. Figures current as of 2026 and subject to change by the Nevada Legislature; individual situations vary — consult an attorney for legal advice.
This article is for general educational purposes only and is not legal or financial advice. Legacy Real Estate Group is committed to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for equal housing opportunity.