[WSBAPT] deceased spouse on deed

[Diane J. Kiepe]

Cindy,

You may have already gotten your answer but I would just say, in my opinion, it is always better to remove a decedent's name after death then wait until a pending transaction.  You never know what the surviving spouse may want to do with the property and how time sensitive the transaction may be - taking a wait and see approach is not advisable.

Diane J. Kiepe

Diane J. Kiepe
Douglas Eden
717 W. Sprague Ave.
Suite 1500
Spokane, WA  99201
djkiepe at depdslaw.com
509-455-5300

-----Original Message-----
From: wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com <wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com> On Behalf Of Cindy Zetts
Sent: Monday, May 23, 2022 5:05 PM
To: wsbapt at lists.wsbarppt.com
Subject: [WSBAPT] deceased spouse on deed

Listmates --
 
When spouses own a house and one dies, is it better to remove the deceased spouse's name right away or wait until the surviving spouse dies? Deceased spouse had no will, and surviving spouse does not want to do a will but also seeks to avoid probate at death. So...as I see it, a transfer-on-death deed seems like the best way to avoid probate . However, can this be done without removing the deceased spouse's name from the deed first? If so, what is the best way to do this? 
 
Thanks, all. I appreciate any guidance to help a surviving spouse leave a house to the kids with as few complications as possible.
 
Regards,
Cindy Zetts
Cynthia Zetts Law, PLLC
Affordable estate planning, mobile service
253-720-6446
 
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