Legal Question in Real Estate Law in California

To respond, we need to know exactly what the deed to the home says. Is she still married? Is the home community property? Is the Husband living? Was her one half payment separate or community property?

She can make a will, but as Mr. Christian points out, there may be other problems. For example, if the property is held in joint tenancy, the will does not sever the joint tenancy and the husband would get her share if she died. The same would be true if the property was held as community property with right of survivorship. Your friend should speak to an estate planning attorney who can advise of the property way to do what she wants.