Legal Question in Real Estate Law in Michigan

Adding a partner to my home owners title

I purchased home in 2003 as a single woman. I am in a committed relationship and wish to have my partner taken care of in terms of the house should anything happen to me. Can I add her name to the title or is this something that should be taken care of via a Will?

I want to make sure that in the event of my death, my partner will have the house.


Asked on 12/19/03, 8:30 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Thomas Weiss McClintic & Weiss, P.C.

Re: Adding a partner to my home owners title

You can accomplish your objective by either a will or by conveying an interest via a quit claim deed.

I would STRONGLY suggest that you NOT convey an interest to her as "Joint Tenants with Right of Survivorship" as if ANYTHING happened to your relationship, you would have a very very difficult time changing the property right.

May I suggest that you convey to her an interest as "Joint Tenant" and not as "Joint Tenant with Right of Survivorship".

If you made her a Joint Tenant and you were to die, she would own the whole.

Michigan has a peculiar rule for Joint Tenancies and if you have any questions, please see an attorney and have him/her prepare the quit claim deed - just to insure that it is done properly - so many "do it yourself" deeds have mistakes/errors/defects that substantially impair the conveyors intent.

Good luck,

Tom Weiss

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Answered on 12/19/03, 10:05 am


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