File a declaration of homestead before it's necessary and you could send creditors the wrong signal. Check your state's homesteading law for the details. If you are considering homesteading because you received one of those official-looking direct marketing solicitations, think twice. It could be a ruse and if you really need to homestead your home, you can do it yourself. Homesteading operations typically offer to do it for you, for a small fee.
Filing is a simple matter.
Some states, including California, regulate homestead filing services. If you insist on using a homestead filing service, check your appropriate state office to be sure they are registered and operating legitimately in your state. My wife and I are about to put our house up for sale and look for a new home. I would like to avoid having all of our names on the mortgage to keep things from becoming more complicated than they need be. If you finance more of the home's cost, you can still use a gift, provided you supply at least five percent of the down payment from your own funds.