Tag: real estate
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Safe or Sorry? The Evolving Law of Disclosing Flood Risk (and How to Look Up Your Own Home’s Risk of Flooding)
How many of us ask about flood risk before buying a house or renting an apartment? In many areas of the country, whether we rent or buy, no one mentions flood risk. And yet, for millions of homes, flood risks keep increasing. Knowing whether a home has flooded, or is at high risk of flooding,…
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When in Delaware… A Homeowner’s Deed Must Be Filed With the Register of Wills
What happens with Delaware real estate deeds when someone dies? The home’s title (whether the owner dies with or without a will) vests immediately in the beneficiaries’ names. The home county’s Register of Wills sends the deed to the County Assessment Office. That’s how a title is transferred upon death. There’s no need for a…
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Dower Rights for Surviving Spouses: Does Your State Still Have This Old English Relic?
If you live in Michigan, your state ended its dower rights in 2017. But if you live in Arkansas, Kentucky, or Ohio, dower is still on the books in your state. This musty old legal provision gives spouses a peculiar set of real estate protections. Kansas, too, has a “dower-like” provision in its KSA 59-505.…
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I’m Changing My Name. What About the House Title?
Your house title should state your current legal name. Of course, there are other documents that prove your identity. But having the correct name on the title will save steps when you want to sell or take a loan out on your home. So here’s a brief guide to changing the title to your home…
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Divorce, Property Division, and the Quitclaim Deed
Parting of the Ways Co-ownership of a house can unwind in several ways. One way is through divorce proceedings. You might be wondering how this works, and what kind of decisions have to be made. You might have questions about passing the home to your ex using a quitclaim deed. Here are some of the…
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Marriage and the Quitclaim Deed
When is a quitclaim a good way to transfer a whole or partial interest in a home? In a simple transaction among familiar parties. Especially where no money changes hands. No wonder quitclaim deeds are often used between spouses. Here, we take a look at a variety of ways quitclaims can convey property between partners…
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Using a Quitclaim Deed: Top 5 Reasons
Are you considering using a quitclaim deed? It’s a fast, simple, and reasonable way to transfer home ownership. It’s a good choice in certain situations. What are those certain situations? In contrast to warranty deeds, which are most often used in regular home sales, a quitclaim would more likely be used: Quitclaiming is a simple,…
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Is a Quitclaim Deed Subject to Tax?
Quitclaims are sometimes used to transfer property interests from one family member to another, or between divorcing spouses. Parents might wonder if they should use quitclaims to pass property to children to avoid the probate process. It’s easy enough to do. The homeowner signs the document with a notary, takes it to the county recorder…
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Buying Property with a Quitclaim Deed in Massachusetts
A Quitclaim? No problem. It’s Common Practice Here — and Safeguarding Your Title Is Straightforward. Three major Massachusetts real estate deeds are commonly used: the quitclaim deed, the warranty deed, and the release deed. In contrast to most other places, Massachusetts home buyers receive their property through quitclaim deeds. So, we need to delve into…
