What are your rights if you get a divorce but your name is not on the deed? Several factors determine your rights, starting with state law in the state where you reside and own property. Understanding Marital Property and Ownership Rights In community property states, such as California, if you acquired your home while you […]
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Trusts can be broadly categorized as revocable or irrevocable. Revocable trusts are commonly referred to as living trusts because the grantor, or person who creates and funds the trust, can retain control over the trust their entire lifetime. When the grantor creates the trust, the trust itself will become the legal owner of the property […]
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A lien can be placed on your property without your immediate knowledge. Typically, when someone places a lien on your property, they are required to notify you. However, communication delays can prevent you from being informed right away, especially if your mailing address is outdated. Any liens against your property become public records when they […]
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What happens when two names are on a deed and one dies? The answer to this question depends on how the deed is worded. The property could be owned as joint tenancy with rights of survivorship, tenancy in common, or tenancy by the entirety. If the deed specifies joint tenancy with rights of survivorship, the surviving […]
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Anna lives in upstate New York. She is the only child of her recently deceased mother. Her father died nearly a decade ago. Anna is the executor of her mother’s estate. She recently made an appointment at her local bank to access her mother’s account. The bank representative said that she could not have access […]
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If you live in California, you may be able to transfer your real property to your heirs upon your death without going through the probate process. By naming a specific beneficiary or beneficiaries on their deed, a California property owner can transfer ownership of their property to their heir using the revocable transfer on death […]
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A deed is a written document that transfers ownership of a property from one party (grantor) to another (grantee). It defines who owns the property and describes the property that is owned. The person whose name is on the deed holds title to the property. Title is a legal concept, not a legal document. It […]
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As people get older, they may consider adding their child to their bank account or the title to their property. Giving your child direct access to your bank account can simplify bill paying if your child handles those chores for you. It is also a common misconception that adding your child to your accounts or […]
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A quitclaim deed is a legal document used to transfer ownership of real property from one person to another. They are most commonly used to transfer the title to property between people who know each other well or to fix an error on the title. Unlike a warranty deed, a quitclaim deed does not have […]
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Welcome to 2025! A new year is a time for optimism and new opportunities. It’s time to start fresh! But making New Year’s resolutions is not enough; you’ll also need to take action to make sure you and your loved ones are prepared for anything the future might bring. Create a New Estate Plan in […]
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