Do 200 Homestead acres need to be connected for homestead protection?

The correct understanding of homestead protection in Texas is that the 200 acres designated for a homestead do not need to be contiguous. Texas law provides for a homestead exemption which allows property owners to protect a certain amount of land from creditors, and this protection applies regardless of whether the parcels are connected or separated.

This flexibility allows homeowners more options when it comes to managing their property, and it reflects an understanding that families may own land that is not physically adjacent but still contributes to their living situation and personal circumstances. Thus, different tracts of land can be claimed under the homestead exemption as long as the total does not exceed 200 acres for rural homesteads.

In contrast, the other options imply conditions that do not align with the legal understanding and requirements for homesteading in Texas.