Legal Question in Real Estate Law in California

Re: Add person to title

Voluntary changes to legal or "record" title to real property are usually accomplished by deed, which can be either a quitclaim or grant deed.

The deed should specify the interest being conveyed and how the co-owners will hold title, i.e. "I, X, hereby grant to Y, a single woman, a one-half interest in Blackacre, as tenant in common."

Unless the property has rather low value, I urge you to use the services of a title company (at least) to prepare and record your deed, if not a lawyer as well. For one, there are pitfalls such as possible mis-description or under-description of the property, possible adverse property tax decisions, and perhaps some unintended gift-tax or "due on sale" problems.

Finally, you should review your reasons for making the transfer. Perhaps you should have a contract with the grantee. Avoid transferring property to avoid creditors; such transfers can be un-done by the creditor and both of you (transferor and transferee) will ned up in legal trouble.

Re: Add person to title

You will need to file a new grant deed and a PCOR. (The PCOR saves you a late $20 fee)

We can assist you for a minimal charge...pretty basic if you have the correct form templates.

Please feel free to visit my firm's site at www.No2Probate.com or contact me directly at 626-578-0708 ext. 4.

Scott

Re: Add person to title

It can be done with a simple form grant deed or quit claim deed. You should be careful, the decision is irreversible if the person you put on title decides that he or she owns the property (I've had several lawsuits about this issue). A transfer can also cause many other problems including creditor and tax issues. You should consider consulting a professional.