Joseph’s land has a portion protected from judgment for unsecured debts. What is this protection called?

The protection that Joseph’s land has from judgment for unsecured debts is known as homestead rights. Homestead rights are legal provisions that protect a homeowner’s primary residence from being seized or sold to satisfy debts or judgments. This means that if Joseph were to face unsecured creditors, his home would have a certain level of protection and could not be taken away to satisfy those debts, providing him with security and stability.

Homestead rights vary by state, including the definitions and limits on the property that is exempt from such financial claims. In many jurisdictions, these rights help ensure that individuals and families can maintain their primary living space despite financial difficulties.

Other terms, such as riparian rights and littoral rights, pertain to landowners' rights concerning water bodies and would not apply in this context. Dower rights are related to the rights of a widow in her deceased husband’s estate and do not provide the same kind of protection from creditors as homestead rights. Thus, the correct term in this context is indeed homestead rights.