How to cancel a Westgate timeshare contract

Last updated 2026-07-25

How do you get out of a Westgate timeshare contract right after signing?

If you just signed at a Westgate presentation and you're having regrets, the first thing to check is your rescission deadline. Every state that regulates timeshares gives buyers a window to cancel for any reason, no explanation needed. The length of that window varies a lot by state, and Westgate resorts sit in several different states: Florida, Nevada, Missouri, Tennessee, South Carolina, and others. Florida, where a large share of Westgate resorts sit, gives buyers a 10-day rescission period under Florida Statute 721.10, running from the day you sign or the day you get the public offering statement, whichever is later ^[1]. Other states use different windows, some shorter. Confirm your exact state's rescission window before you assume you have 7 days or 10 days. The number that applies to you depends on where the contract was executed and where the resort is located, not on what a salesperson told you verbally. Your contract itself will spell out the cancellation procedure, usually in bold text near the signature page, because state law generally requires that disclosure. Follow it exactly: written notice, sent to the address listed, within the deadline. Email alone is often not enough if the contract requires mail. Send it in a way you can prove was received, like certified mail with return receipt, and keep a copy of everything. Do not rely on a phone call or a verbal promise from a Westgate rep that they'll 'take care of it.' Rescission has to be your written notice, on time, following the contract's instructions. If you're inside the window, this is the cheapest and fastest way out there is, and it costs you nothing but a stamp and some care. For a broader walkthrough of how rescission works across different states, see how to get out of a timeshare.

What if my Westgate rescission period has already passed?

Once the window closes, you're a contracted owner with real obligations, and there's no federal law that lets you back out later just because you changed your mind. The FTC's guidance on negative option and long-term consumer commitments generally warns buyers to read terms fully before signing precisely because unwinding a long-term contract afterward is hard, and timeshare contracts function the same way ^[2]. That doesn't mean you're stuck forever. It means your remaining paths take more time and sometimes more money. The realistic options after rescission are: Westgate's own deed-back or surrender program if you qualify, selling the timeshare yourself or through a licensed resale broker, or working with a legitimate exit company or attorney. None of these are instant, and none of them are free in every case. What you should not do is stop paying your maintenance fees or loan payments hoping that forces Westgate to let you out. Unpaid fees turn into collections, damaged credit, and sometimes a deficiency judgment depending on your state. If you're behind already, that's a separate problem from cancellation. Worth handling with a consumer law attorney or credit counselor, not by ignoring statements.

Does Westgate have a deed-back or surrender program?

Westgate has offered deed-back arrangements in some circumstances, sometimes discussed under names like the deed-back or 'ovation'-style surrender programs that several large timeshare companies run. Availability, eligibility, and whether Westgate is accepting deed-backs at any given time changes, and it's not something a third party can promise on Westgate's behalf. Generally, deed-back programs across the industry require your account to be current on fees and any loan balance, sometimes require the timeshare to be fully paid off (no mortgage balance remaining), and are decided case by case, not guaranteed to any owner who asks. Some resorts charge a processing or transfer fee even for a deed-back. The only way to know what Westgate currently offers is to contact Westgate directly (owner services, not a resale broker claiming to represent them) and ask in writing what your specific account qualifies for. Get any answer in writing before paying anything or signing anything. For a look at how deed-back and surrender programs generally work across the timeshare industry, and how to vet whether a program is legitimate, see how to get out of timeshare.

Can you sell a Westgate timeshare instead of canceling it?

Yes, and for owners past their rescission window this is often the most realistic path, though it comes with a hard truth: the resale market for timeshares is weak. Timeshares are not an investment and they very rarely sell for anywhere near what the original buyer paid. The average price for a one-week timeshare interval bought new was $23,940 in 2023, according to ARDA's owner survey data ^[3]. On the resale market, many of those same intervals list for a few hundred to a few thousand dollars, and a meaningful share list for $1 or literally nothing, because sellers just want out from under the annual maintenance fee. If you want to try selling, list only through a licensed real estate broker or a marketplace that doesn't charge big upfront fees to 'guarantee' a buyer. Legitimate brokers typically get paid a commission at closing, not thousands of dollars in advance. Be skeptical of any call claiming they have a 'buyer already lined up' for your specific Westgate week and just need an upfront transfer or closing fee. That pattern is one of the most common scams reported to state attorneys general and consumer protection agencies. See how to get out of a timeshare for a rundown of resale realities before you list anything.

How much does a Westgate timeshare cost, and how much are maintenance fees?

Purchase prices for Westgate timeshares vary widely by resort, unit size, and season, but industry-wide averages give a useful benchmark: ARDA's 2023 owner data put the average purchase price for a timeshare interval at $23,940, with average annual maintenance fees around $1,170 ^[3]. Westgate specifically has faced repeated public criticism and litigation over financing terms and interest rates that can run considerably higher than a typical mortgage, so ask for the total finance charge in writing before you sign anything, or if you already own, pull your original contract to see what you actually agreed to. Maintenance fees are the recurring cost owners underestimate most, and they climb almost every year, sometimes with special assessments added on top for storm damage or renovations. There's no cap on how much a resort can raise fees year to year in most contracts. The deed usually just requires the fee structure spelled out in the governing documents, and those documents typically allow annual increases. If rising fees, not buyer's remorse, are your main reason for wanting out, it helps to separate the two problems. Fee increases alone don't usually justify legal rescission once your window has passed; they're a cost-of-ownership problem to solve through selling, deed-back, or, in some cases, negotiating directly with the resort. For more on managing this specific pain point, see the maintenance fees hub.

Are timeshares scams, and is Westgate specifically a scam?

Timeshares themselves are legal products, regulated at the state level, not an inherent scam, but the sales process has a long, well-documented history of high-pressure tactics, and the exit industry that grew up around unhappy owners is full of actual scams. Florida's Attorney General maintains consumer alerts specifically warning that timeshare resale and exit offers are a common source of fraud complaints ^[4]. Westgate has faced multiple lawsuits and regulatory scrutiny over the years related to sales practices and financing disclosures. A well-known example is a 2018 Tennessee jury verdict against Westgate under the state's Time-Share Act (Tenn. Code Ann. Title 66, Chapter 32), which drew significant news coverage at the time ^[5]. This kind of litigation history is worth knowing, but a single case doesn't mean every Westgate contract is fraudulent, and it doesn't create a right to cancel your specific contract; that depends on your state's law and the facts of your purchase. Where real scams show up most is in the 'exit' industry, not the original sale. Watch for: upfront fees of thousands of dollars before any service is performed, guarantees that they can 'get you out no matter what,' pressure to stop paying your resort or loan, and cold calls claiming to be from Westgate, a law firm, or a government program offering to buy your timeshare back. State attorneys general in Florida and other states with heavy timeshare concentration have issued specific consumer alerts about these patterns ^[4].

How do you spot a Westgate timeshare exit scam?

The single biggest red flag is being asked to pay a large sum upfront, before any cancellation or transfer has actually happened. Legitimate help rarely requires full payment before results are delivered, and consumers should treat unsolicited calls offering to buy or resell a timeshare with real skepticism. Other warning signs worth memorizing: a caller says they're 'working with Westgate' or 'authorized by the resort' to buy back your week (Westgate does not use third-party callers to run its owner programs), pressure to wire money or pay by gift card, promises of a guaranteed timeline like '90 days or your money back' with no contract terms backing that up, and refusal to put fee structures in writing before you commit. Before paying anyone for exit help, check their standing with your state attorney general's consumer protection office and the Better Business Bureau, and ask for references you can actually call. A legitimate company or attorney will have no problem giving you a written engagement letter describing exactly what they'll do and what happens if it doesn't work. We put together a timeshare call list of the actual government and nonprofit numbers worth calling before you pay any exit company a dollar.

What's the actual step-by-step process to cancel or exit a Westgate contract?

Here's the realistic sequence, in order of cheapest and fastest to more involved: 1. Check your rescission deadline first. Pull your contract, find your state, confirm the exact window (Florida owners: 10 days under Fla. Stat. 721.10 ^[1]; other states differ, so verify your own). 2. If still inside the window, send written cancellation notice exactly as the contract instructs, by a method you can prove was delivered, before the deadline. 3. If the window has passed, request Westgate's current deed-back or surrender eligibility in writing from owner services. 4. If deed-back isn't available, get your account current (fees and loan payments), then decide between resale through a licensed broker or hiring a timeshare exit attorney/company. 5. Before hiring anyone, verify them with your state attorney general's office and avoid any company demanding full payment upfront. 6. Keep every document: original contract, correspondence, payment records. You'll need these regardless of which path you take. This is also where a structured approach helps rather than guessing your way through six different phone trees. ExitHonest's $149 one-time Timeshare Exit Kit walks through exactly this sequence for your specific state and situation, so you know which step you're actually on before you spend money on anything bigger. It's a self-help tool, not a law firm and not an exit company, and it doesn't contact Westgate on your behalf; it helps you build your own documented case and next steps. Start at /exit-kit-builder.

How do you cancel a Westgate timeshare if you inherited it?

Inheriting a timeshare doesn't come with a rescission window, since you didn't sign a new purchase contract, you took on the deed through probate or a transfer. That means the cancel-within-days option generally isn't available to heirs. Your realistic options as an heir are similar to any owner past rescission: request Westgate's deed-back program in writing (some programs specifically accommodate heirs who don't want the obligation), disclaim the inheritance during probate before the deed transfers to you if you haven't accepted it yet (talk to the estate's probate attorney about this, timing matters and varies by state), or pursue resale/exit options once you're the confirmed owner. One thing worth checking early: whether the estate or a probate attorney can simply not transfer the timeshare to you at all. If you disclaim it in time under your state's probate rules, it may pass to a contingent beneficiary or become the estate's problem to resolve rather than yours. This is state-specific and worth a real conversation with a probate attorney, not something to guess at.

Should you hire an attorney or an exit company for Westgate specifically?

It depends on where you are in the process and how much is at stake. If you're still inside your rescission window, you don't need to pay anyone; follow the contract's cancellation instructions yourself. If the window has passed and Westgate isn't offering deed-back, a licensed consumer protection or timeshare attorney in the state where the resort sits is usually a more accountable choice than a generic 'timeshare exit company,' because attorneys carry bar licenses and malpractice exposure that unregulated exit firms don't. That said, attorney fees add up, and not every situation justifies the cost, especially for a lower-value week with modest fees. Whatever you choose, get a written fee agreement describing exactly what happens, what it costs, and what your options are if it doesn't work. Never pay the full fee upfront to any company that can't show you a specific, verifiable track record. For a fuller comparison of paths, see timeshare exit companies and timeshare cancellation.

Frequently asked questions

How to get out of a timeshare with Westgate specifically?

First check your rescission window (varies by state, confirm yours) and cancel in writing if you're still inside it. If that window closed, ask Westgate in writing about deed-back eligibility, then consider resale through a licensed broker or a vetted attorney. Never stop paying fees or a loan hoping it forces a release; that damages your credit instead.

How do you get out of a timeshare after the rescission period ends?

After rescission, you generally need the resort's deed-back or surrender program, a resale (often at a steep loss versus purchase price), or help from a consumer attorney or vetted exit company. There's no federal law letting you cancel late just because you regret the purchase; most timeshare contracts are genuinely difficult to exit once the window closes.

How much do timeshares cost on average?

ARDA's 2023 owner survey put the average purchase price for a timeshare interval at $23,940, with average annual maintenance fees of about $1,170 ^[3]. Actual Westgate prices vary a lot by resort and unit size, and financed purchases often carry high interest rates on top of the purchase price.

How to sell a timeshare, and will you get your money back?

List only through a licensed real estate broker or reputable marketplace, never a company demanding thousands upfront to 'guarantee' a buyer. Expect a loss: resale prices for timeshare weeks routinely run far below the original $20,000+ purchase price, and many resell for a few hundred dollars or less.

Are timeshares scams?

The timeshare product itself is legal and state-regulated, not inherently a scam, but sales pressure at presentations is well-documented and the exit/resale industry attracts real fraud. Florida's Attorney General specifically warns consumers to be wary of unsolicited timeshare resale and exit offers ^[4]. Vet any company through your state attorney general before paying anything.

How much is a Westgate timeshare specifically?

Westgate doesn't publish a single price list; costs depend on resort, unit size, season, and financing terms. Industry-wide, ARDA reports an average purchase price of $23,940 for a timeshare interval in 2023 ^[3]. Westgate financing has drawn litigation over high interest rates, so check your contract's finance charge total.

How to get rid of a timeshare you inherited?

Check whether you can disclaim the inheritance during probate before the deed transfers to you (talk to the estate's probate attorney, timing and rules vary by state). If you've already accepted it, ask Westgate about deed-back eligibility in writing, or pursue resale or an exit attorney the same way any owner would.

What's Westgate's rescission period for canceling a new contract?

It depends on the state where you signed. Florida requires a 10-day rescission period for timeshare purchases under Florida Statute 721.10 ^[1]. Other states set different windows; check your specific contract's cancellation section and confirm the number against your state's statute rather than trusting a verbal estimate.

Can you cancel a Westgate timeshare by phone or email?

Usually no. Most timeshare contracts, including Westgate's, require written cancellation notice sent to a specific address by a specific method. Follow the contract's instructions exactly and send it in a way you can prove was received, like certified mail with return receipt, before your deadline expires.

Does Westgate offer a deed-back program?

Westgate has offered deed-back or surrender arrangements at times, but eligibility (often requiring a paid-off, fee-current account) and availability change and aren't guaranteed to every owner. Contact Westgate owner services directly and get any eligibility answer in writing before paying anything toward the process.

What happens if you just stop paying your Westgate timeshare?

Unpaid maintenance fees and loan payments typically go to collections, can hurt your credit score, and in some states can lead to a deficiency judgment or foreclosure on the timeshare deed. Stopping payment doesn't cancel your contract; it creates a separate debt problem on top of the ownership you're still trying to resolve.

How do you avoid a timeshare exit scam when trying to cancel Westgate?

Avoid any company demanding large fees upfront, guaranteeing a specific outcome, or claiming to be 'authorized by Westgate' to buy back your week over the phone. Verify any company with your state attorney general's consumer protection office first, and get a written agreement describing exactly what you're paying for and when.

Sources

1. Florida Legislature, Florida Statute 721.10: Florida gives timeshare buyers a 10-day rescission period
2. Federal Trade Commission, "Buying a Timeshare" Consumer Advice: Timeshare purchases are long-term financial commitments and canceling after the rescission period is difficult
3. American Resort Development Association (ARDA), 2023 State of the Vacation Timeshare Industry report summary: Average timeshare interval purchase price ($23,940) and average annual maintenance fee (~$1,170) for 2023
4. Florida Office of the Attorney General, Consumer Alerts: Florida AG consumer alerts warning about timeshare resale and exit scam tactics
5. Tennessee Code Annotated § 66-32-101 et seq. (Tennessee Time-Share Act), Justia U.S. Law: Tennessee's Timeshare Act governs timeshare sales practices in the state, relevant to the 2018 Westgate jury verdict
6. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Consumer Complaint Database: Consumer complaints about timeshare financing and exit difficulties are tracked by federal regulators