Title and Deeds

Q: One of my 2024 goals is to purchase a California investment property with my sister, but she is able to invest more than I can. Can we own the property together in different percentages?

A: Yes, you can! In California, two individuals can take title to real property as tenants-in-common, and in whichever percentages the owners agree on. For example, your sister could own an 80% interest as a tenant-in-common while you own a 20% interest as a...

Q: My late father owned a duplex as a joint tenant with his sister when he died. We also found his will, which stated he left all of his assets to me and my sister. Who will end up owning the duplex?

A: Unfortunately, your aunt now owns that duplex. By operation of law, when your father died, the surviving joint tenant automatically owned the entire duplex, which meant that the will had no legal effect over the disposition of your father's interest in the duplex....

Q: My mom recently died without a will and had a vacant parcel of land in Modoc County worth about $10,000. Can my sister and I transfer title to ourselves without a probate?

A: Yes! Assuming your mother didn't have any other probatable assets, you and your sister can file with the court a Form DE-305 in the County where the land is located to have the property title transferred without probate.

Q: I transferred title to my current home to my trust when my trust was created. I am now selling my home and and am purchasing a new one. How should I take title to my new home?

A: You should take title to your new home in the same way that you hold title to your current home - as trustee of your trust. This will ensure that your new home is a trust asset and that it is not at risk of going through probate to be administered after your death....