Without Deed’s Joint Tenancy, Estate Ends up in Probate
We help many clients transfer Deeds —it’s generally a simple process that we can accomplish quickly, sometimes in a day. The following example highlights the importance of what is called vesting , or the way in which title to a Deed is held. It seems like a small thing, but a Deed is the legal document that identifies the property owner. Without the title, it is impossible to buy or sell a home. And as our client discovered, she also couldn’t update her Living Trust. This is a cautionary tale , and unfortunately, we see this kind of situation all too often. “Sandra” came in to our office to update her Living Trust—something we recommend that people do periodically, with important life events. A physical therapist, Sandra had moved to the Bay Area from Boston ten years earlier to be closer to her mother, her daughter and grandchildren. She and her mother had bought a cottage in Oakland together, and she was delighted to be there f...