Legal Question in Real Estate Law in California

Re: change home deed

You can go to any title or escrow company and have them prepare a new grant deed. They will notorize it and file it with the county.

It would read something like John Doe, a married man grants to John and Mary Doe, husband and wife as ...

Community Property, or

Community Property, with right of Survivorship, or

Joint Tenants, or

Tenants in Common

These are all forms of joint ownership, and each one has different ramifications under different circumstances. It is important to determine which way you want to hold joint title.

Re: change home deed

This would be done by an interspousal grant deed. Title and escrow companies have the forms in their word processors, and will handle the entire process for you, for a fee, which you should negotiate in advance. You may be better off using the same title/escrow company that handled your purchase in the first place. I would also recommend a one-page 'transmutation agreement' as written evidence of the parties' intent to alter the nature of the home from separate to community property.