Protecting the Family Homestead in Travis County
Texas homestead law, over-65 exemptions, and how to keep the home in the family without a probate nightmare.
Reviewed by Claire Benavides, J.D., Elder Law AttorneyLast updated April 12, 2026
Aging well in Central Texas is rarely about one big decision. It's a sequence of small, well-timed ones - and most families feel like they're improvising.
Our advisors wrote this guide the way we'd explain it to our own parents: in plain language, without selling anything, and with the local context that matters.
If you have a specific situation, you can always reach out for a free, 20-minute conversation with the right advisor in our network.
Frequently asked
Quick answers for Central Texas families
- What is the Texas over-65 homestead exemption?
- Texas homeowners 65 and older qualify for an additional $10,000 school-tax exemption on their homestead, plus a tax ceiling that freezes school taxes at the level paid the year they turned 65.
- How do I file the over-65 exemption in Travis County?
- File Form 50-114 with the Travis Central Appraisal District (TCAD). It's free, can be filed any time after you turn 65, and is retroactive up to two years.
- Can my surviving spouse keep the over-65 tax ceiling?
- Yes. In Texas, the surviving spouse keeps the over-65 ceiling as long as they were 55 or older when the qualifying spouse died and they continue to live in the home.
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