Many or all companies we feature compensate us. Compensation and editorial research influence how products appear on a page. Personal Finance 6 Ways to Get Out of Your Timeshare Without Hurting Your Finances Updated May 22, 2025 6-min read Written by Lindsay VanSomeren Written by Lindsay VanSomeren Expertise: Mortgages, personal loans, student loans, auto loans, banking, budgeting, debt, insurance, credit cards, credit Lindsay VanSomeren is a personal finance writer living in Suquamish, Washington. She's passionate about helping people learn how to manage their money better so that they can live the life they want. In her spare time, she enjoys outdoor adventures, reading, and learning new languages and hobbies. Learn more about Lindsay VanSomeren Timeshare salespeople can be experts in psychological manipulation. It’s sometimes a wonder how anyone makes it out of a timeshare presentation without saying yes. So don’t beat yourself up too much if you bought a timeshare and later regretted it. You’re in good company. You’re not stuck with your timeshare. It’s not always easy to get out without a loss, but there are ways to mitigate the financial damage. Let’s take a look at different options for how to get out of a timeshare. Table of Contents 1. Use the rescission period to get out of your timeshare 2. Surrender or deed-back your timeshare 3. Sell your timeshare to someone else 4. Give away your timeshare 5. Hire a timeshare exit attorney 6. Use a timeshare exit company FAQ 1. Use the rescission period to get out of your timeshare How timeshare rescission periods work The timeshare industry knows many people wake up the next day with buyer’s remorse. Companies even budget in for about 15% of people cancelling their contract immediately afterward, during a “rescission period.” Check your contract and purchase documents for instructions on using the rescission period. Laws vary around the country and even internationally, but most timeshares offer a rescission period of some sort. It’s the best option for getting out of a timeshare, so if you’re not feeling it, act fast. Pros and cons of using your timeshare rescission period Pros Clean and easy exit If you do it right, there are no fees or charges, and the contract can be immediately canceled. Available for most timeshares Almost all timeshare contracts offer a rescission period, and most U.S. states have laws dictating its length. Cons Must act fast Depending on where your timeshare is, you might only get a three-to-15-day rescission period, depending on state timeshare laws. Must follow specific procedures Your contract stipulates the exact rules for canceling your contract, and if you don’t follow them exactly, the company can disregard it. 2. Surrender or deed-back your timeshare How timeshare surrenders or deed-backs work A timeshare deed-back is a simple process: You sign a transfer document that returns the deed to the resort. That releases you from the contract—no more vacations, but no more ongoing fees, either. Not all timeshare companies accept deed-backs, and if they do, you can be sure the process isn’t well highlighted in the marketing materials. You may need to spend time tracking down someone at the resort who can help. If you can plead a case of financial hardship, your odds might improve. Pros and cons of surrendering or deeding back your timeshare Pros Quick release from contract If the timeshare company accepts your deed back, you’ll be released as soon as the paperwork is signed—no waiting on anyone else. Work directly with the timeshare company Avoid future scams by arranging things with the company that sold you the timeshare. Cons May owe fees Some resorts charge closing or transfer fees if you give your timeshare back. Can take some work Since deed-back programs aren’t well-advertised, you may need to spend time tracking down the right people to talk to and setting it up. Won’t recoup sunk costs The timeshare company isn’t buying back your deed, so you don’t get any money back. Instead, you’ll avoid losing more money in the future. Must be in good standing You may not be eligible if you owe outstanding fees or loans to the timeshare management company. 3. Sell your timeshare to someone else How selling your timeshare works According to the American Resort Development Association (ARDA), about a quarter of people actually buy their timeshares on the resale market—a perfect opportunity if you want to get rid of yours. You can find many reputable resale companies online that offer varying levels of support in facilitating the transaction, but be wary of scams, too. Selling your timeshare works just like any other type of property. You find a buyer, they pay you money, and you sign the deed over to the new owners. Many people try to sell their timeshares, and buying one is a big commitment, so timeshare resale prices are often quite low. Pros and cons of selling your timeshare Pros Potential to get some money back Sales prices are generally low if you can find a buyer. Still, it’s one of the only ways you can recoup some of your costs. Better odds for popular timeshares People selling timeshares at popular properties like Disney, Hilton, or Marriott generally have an easier time finding a buyer. Cons Must find a buyer You’re responsible for finding a buyer on your own. That can be tough, resulting in a thriving industry of timeshare resale scams you’ll need to avoid. Success rate can vary You’re not guaranteed to find a buyer, and if you don’t, you may be stuck with your timeshare. Timeshare loans must be paid off If you took out a loan to purchase your timeshare, you’ll generally need to pay it off before you can sell it. 4. Give away your timeshare How giving away your timeshare works About a third of people with timeshares originally received them as gifts or inheritances. Reddit is full of posts from people seeking advice when someone gifts them a timeshare. But if your recipients are fully aware of the costs and limitations of taking on your timeshare, it can be a good way to pass the baton to someone else. Similar to other transfers, this involves signing the deed over to the new owners, who become responsible for ongoing fees. Pros and cons of giving away your timeshare Pros Clean break from fees Assuming you can find someone willing to accept your gift, you’ll cease to be the owner as soon as you sign the deed transfer paperwork. Keep memories going If your timeshare has sentimental value, gifting it to another person can be a wonderful gesture if they value it as much as you do. Potential tax deduction You may be able to write off your timeshare donation on your taxes if you donate to a qualified charity. Be sure to talk to an accountant first, though. Cons Can be a burden The new owner will be responsible for fees and charges, which will limit their vacation choices. While generous, this is not something everyone wants. May require an attorney’s help Gifting a timeshare is a legal process, and it’s wise to consult an attorney who can draft a formal agreement and guide you through the process. 5. Hire a timeshare exit attorney How timeshare exit attorneys work Timeshare exit attorneys can provide further legal avenues and support for helping you get out of a timeshare. If the salesperson didn’t follow proper rules when selling you the timeshare, for example, you may be able to get out of your contract more easily. A reputable timeshare attorney won’t take on every client; only those it can actually help with legal services. Look for companies like The Stonegate Firm that offer free case reviews. Make sure to read as many reviews as you can online. Ask for references, including prior cases they’ve filed in court. Pros and cons of hiring a timeshare exit attorney Pros Timeshare leases OK Many timeshare exit strategies only work for deeded timeshares (the most common type), but an attorney may also be able to help with leased timeshares. May be able to help when other options fail Attorneys can review your contract, assess your legal rights, and even take legal action against the resort, if needed. Cons Can be expensive Hiring an attorney for anything is not cheap. Still not guaranteed While an attorney can provide better guidance and additional options for escaping your timeshare, they can’t promise it will work. High scam potential It’s common to come across scammers posing as timeshare exit attorneys, so you’ll need to exercise caution when selecting an attorney. 6. Use a timeshare exit company How timeshare exit companies work In general, timeshare exit companies work by using all the same tools we’ve outlined above. They’re not magic; they just make a few calls or send some letters for you. Failing that, they may advise you to stop paying for your timeshare—a valid approach, but one that can wreck your credit. We like The Stonegate Firm because it’s honest about being a “last resort” for timeshare owners and never recommends defaulting on your mortgage or contract. We’ve found five legit timeshare companies, but on the whole, experts advise proceeding with caution because of the high potential for scam operations. Pros and cons of using timeshare exit companies Pros Can save time If you don’t have the time to manage your timeshare yourself, paying a company to do it for you can help. But be warned: It’s not cheap. Can work for leased timeshares A timeshare exit company may be able to help with all types of timeshares, whether leased or deeded. Cons Not guaranteed Timeshare exit companies don’t have any special tools that aren’t available to you, which means there’s no guarantee they can help. Expensive Companies often charge a fee ranging into the thousands of dollars, not including ongoing fees after you start. Rife with scams It’s hard to find exact numbers, but experts seem to agree that many timeshare exit companies are scamming people to some degree. FAQ Can I legally get out of a timeshare contract? Yes, it is possible to legally get out of a timeshare contract, though the process can vary depending on the terms of your agreement and how long you’ve owned the timeshare. Many contracts include a rescission period. After that window closes, legal exit is still possible through surrender programs, negotiation with the resort, or, in some cases, with professional assistance. Do I need a lawyer to cancel a timeshare? You don’t always need a lawyer to cancel a timeshare, but legal help can be valuable if the resort is uncooperative or your contract is especially complex. Some owners can exit on their own by working directly with the resort’s deed-back or surrender program. However, if you’re facing aggressive sales tactics, financial hardship, or legal threats, hiring a timeshare exit attorney or a reputable timeshare exit company can help ensure your rights are protected and that the process is handled correctly. What is the cheapest way to get out of a timeshare? The most affordable way to exit a timeshare is often through the resort itself, especially if it offers a deed-back or surrender program at little or no cost. Some resorts will take back the timeshare if the account is in good standing and the property is paid off. Avoiding third-party exit companies can save you thousands of dollars. How long does it take to exit a timeshare? The timeline to exit a timeshare varies depending on the method you use. If you’re within the rescission period, cancellation can be completed in just a few days. Resort-led surrender programs typically take a few weeks to a couple of months. If you’re working with a lawyer or exit company, the process could take six months or more, especially if the resort is slow to respond or disputes the cancellation.