Legal Question in Real Estate Law in California

Well, first of all, "City Hall" probably doesn't fit into the picture. You might want the County Recorder's office. However, first of all, a deceased person's property passes legally in one or more of three ways: trust, will, or intestate succession (where the deceased had no will or trust). Also, property divides into at least two categories, real property (a/k/a real estate) and personal property, both of which are usually handled differently, as are items like motor vehicles and other items with government-registered titles. You didn't say what kind of property is involved here, or whether there was any documentation such as a trust or will, and the answers to these questions -- as well as the overall value of the inherited property -- will determine the proper process to pass title from grandmother to daughter. I'd say your first step is to ask a local attorney specializing in wills, trusts and estates for an initial free consultation, and then take with you any documentation such as her will, trust, death certificate and anything describing the major property items such as deeds or certificates of title. Handling a deceased person's estate can range from extremely simple to outlandishly complex depending upon the size of the estate, the amount and quality of planning the deceased had done, the number and friendliness of the heirs, and so on.

I agree completely with Mr Whipple. To answer your question it is critical that your advisor see the existing deed and any testamentary transfer documents, if any. If there are none, the family structure and laws applicable to intestacy will govern where the home goes. You really need to engage an estates attorney to help you do this.