Texas Homestead Law
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Plain-language guides to Texas homestead law

Source-based explainers on homestead protections, property tax exemptions, surviving spouse rights, heirs and probate, and the land, water, and development questions facing Texas families today.

Featured Series

From the first Texas homestead protections in 1839 to today’s property tax, creditor, family, and land protections, this three-part series explains why the legal definition of a homestead still matters.

Core Series

Homestead Protection & Family Transitions

How Texas homestead law protects the family home — creditor protections, surviving spouse rights, heirs and probate, and the property tax exemptions that work alongside them.

Heirs & Probate

Heirs, Probate & Family Land

What happens to the homestead when it passes to the next generation — and how heir property works for Texas families, farms, and ranches.

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Property Tax

How Texas Homestead Exemptions Work

How exemptions reduce taxable value, why exemptions, tax ceilings, and the homestead cap are different protections, and how to read your bill.

Reference Infographic

Protection vs. Exemption — Side-by-Side

A plain-language comparison of homestead legal protection and the homestead tax exemption — related concepts that serve different purposes.

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Land, Water & Growth

When Outside Pressure Reaches the Home Place

Texas can support innovation and still protect the families, farms, ranches, water, and homesteads that built this state. Educational guides for landowners and communities — fact-based, not fear-based.

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Land, Water & Development

Water rights and the rule of capture, the 2027 State Water Plan, TWDB reservoir maps, eminent domain basics, a printable landowner checklist, and the questions to ask before signing anything.

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Forms & Source Library

Official forms and source documents

Direct links to the official forms and primary sources behind these guides — so you can verify everything yourself.

PDF · Texas Comptroller

Form 50-114 — Residence Homestead Exemption Application

The official application Texas property owners file with the county appraisal district for residence homestead, age 65 or older, disability, disabled veteran, and surviving spouse exemptions.

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PDF · Primary source · 285 pp

The Texas Constitution

Full text through the November 4, 2025 constitutional amendment election. Article XVI, Sections 50–52 contain the homestead protections referenced throughout these guides.

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Official agency

Texas Comptroller — Property Tax Exemptions

Current state guidance on residence homestead, age 65 or older, disability, disabled veteran, and surviving spouse exemptions.

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Primary source

Texas Statutes — Property Code & Tax Code

Search the current Texas Property Code (homestead chapters) and Tax Code (residence homestead exemption sections).

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Texas Homestead Law provides educational information only. The content on this website is not legal, tax, financial, or real estate advice and does not create an attorney–client relationship. Laws, exemptions, deadlines, and local practices may change. Please verify information with official sources and consult qualified professionals regarding your specific situation.