Probate 101
/in Updates/by Adan GutierrezWhen a person dies, the deceased individual is called the “decedent” and the decedent is referred to as having died testate (with a will) or intestate (without a will). A will is a written document executed by a competent person that directs how, when and to whom his or her property will be distributed after their death.
Property, including real estate, personal property and any other assets owned or controlled by the decedent at the time of their death, is referred to as the decedent’s estate. In some situations, the estate may consist of nothing more than personal items such as clothing, jewelry or a small checking account. In other instances, the estate will consist of the decedent’s interest in real estate and other assets that
must be identified, valued and eventually transferred to the intended beneficiaries of the decedent’s estate. These and other tasks are accomplished through the probate process.
The word probate comes from the Latin term “probare,” which means to prove. Probate refers to the action of submitting the decedent’s last will and testament to the proper court and “proving” with appropriate documentation and testimony from witnesses that the will was properly signed and witnessed, and constitutes the decedent’s last will and testament.
“Personal representative” is a term used by the Uniform Probate Code to refer to the person who is responsible for administering the decedent’s estate. If the decedent left a will, the personal representative is often named in the will and is also referred to as the executor. If the decedent did not leave a will, the person who administers the decedent’s estate is known as the administrator.
The personal representative qualifies by taking an oath before the probate court. Once qualified, they have the authority to administer the decedent’s estate. The personal representative is then lawfully able to sign checks and other instruments such as deeds that transfer assets from the decedent’s name to the name of the intended beneficiary. The court will generally issue an order or “letters” to the personal
representative that confirm the person has qualified as such and has the authority to act on behalf of the estate.
The personal representative is under a duty to pay any debts and claims owed by the decedent’s estate. Under applicable state law, the estate’s property is liable for the debts of the deceased owner and all heirs and distributes take any estate property subject to such debts. If claims are not paid, a creditor may be able to reach the decedent’s property in the hands of the heirs or distributes. In order to settle and
pay claims against the estate, the personal representative publishes a notice in a local newspaper that informs creditors of the decedent’s death and the opening of the probate estate. State law sets the requirements of what the notice must contain and how it must be published. Creditors of the estate then file notice of their claims with the court. Applicable state statutes provide creditors with a specific time period in which to file their claims or they will be forever barred.
The estate of the decedent, if of sufficient value, may also owe state inheritance and estate taxes and federal estate taxes. States impose a tax on the estate of the decedent or on the transfer of its assets to heirs. Each state has different tax schedules and exemptions. For instance, inheritances received by spouses or children are generally taxed at a lower rate or may be entirely exempt from taxation than those inheritances received from a brother, sister or other individual. The United States may also be entitled to receive a tax from the assets of a deceased person. The right to this tax and a corresponding lien in favor of the United States attaches immediately upon the death of the decedent, regardless of whether an actual lien is recorded.
Not all estates pay taxes. Only estates whose combined gross assets meet certain levels are required to file returns. The value of the decedent’s estate will consist of more than just the decedent’s real estate. The gross estate consists of the value of all property (real or personal, tangible or intangible) owned by a decedent or in which the decedent had an interest at the time of death such as cash and securities, insurance, trusts, annuities, business interests or other assets. If applicable, federal estate taxes are a lien for 10 years from the decedent’s date of death.
If the decedent died testate (with a will), probate is the formal judicial proceeding used to prove the validity of the decedent’s last will and testament. The property of a decedent may pass to others in accordance with the directions left by the decedent in their will admitted to probate. The person who intends to qualify as the personal representative of the decedent’s estate takes the original will and a certified death certificate to the court that has jurisdiction over the will. The court will examine the provisions of the will and the circumstances under which it was signed. If it appears from affidavits attached to the will or from the testimony of witnesses that the decedent signed the will under the proper circumstances, the will is admitted to probate, or “probated.” The court will enter an order that establishes the validity of the will and that it has been proved to be the valid last will and testament of the decedent. Only wills so ordered and admitted by a court may be treated as valid instruments passing title to real estate. A copy of a decedent’s will is not enough to clear title. Rather, the will must have been proved and probated by a court to establish its validity. Without the court order, the will, by itself, will be insufficient to pass clear title to the property.
If the decedent did not leave a valid last will and testament then the decedent is said to have died intestate and the laws of the state of domicile for the decedent will determine who receives his or her property. When there is no will, the decedent’s property passes to family members under a plan set out by the laws of each state. These laws vary considerably from state to state, and which law applies generally depends upon where the decedent had his or her legal residence at the time of death.
Probate of an intestate decedent is the judicial procedure designed to identify the decedent’s heirs according to applicable state intestate succession laws. In some states, if a person dies intestate but is survived by a spouse, the surviving spouse may be entitled to the entire estate unless the decedent had any children who are not also the children (by birth or adoption) of the surviving spouse. If the decedent had children from a prior marriage, the spouse and surviving children divide the estate. If the decedent was not survived by any spouse or children, the decedent’s surviving parents may inherit the property. If no parents are living then the chain of relations in line to inherit the estate grows more distant and includes brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews and grandparents. If there are no descendants then the
property may pass to the state where it is located. Intestate succession laws vary considerably from state to state and therefore the laws of the state in which the real estate is located should be consulted.
From a title examination perspective, the title report will want sufficient confirmation that the probate of the decedent’s estate has addressed all of the following issues: 1) who has title to the deceased owner’s interests; 2) whether the deceased owner’s creditors have been paid; and 3) whether there are any state or federal estate or inheritance tax concerns. Title is proved by probating the decedent’s will or by properly determining the decedent’s heirs according to applicable state law. Creditor concerns are addressed through the probate process and can also be eliminated by applicable state limitation periods. Estate taxes are addressed by showing that the decedent’s estate is exempt from tax because it does not meet certain threshold levels; or if applicable, by paying the tax and obtaining official receipts or waivers from the appropriate taxing authority.
Reverse professionals who are generally familiar with the probate process and the words and phrases used in the probate context can better help their clients address these issues. This article is only a summary and in some cases it may be necessary to research state law for specific local requirements.
***The information above if for informational purposes only. The Company does not assume any liability or responsibility for the accuracy.***
Delaware Realty Transfer Tax
/in Updates/by Adan GutierrezHOUSE BILL 279 – AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 30 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO REALTY TRANSFER TAX.
New Notary Legislation in Florida
/in Updates/by Adan GutierrezAdvisory: During the 2017 Legislative Session, the Florida Legislature passed a bill that revised Florida
Statute § 117.05 to add a veteran health identification card issued by the United States Department of
Veterans Affairs to the list of acceptable forms of identification. Governor Scott has signed this bill and
the new law will be effective July 1, 2017.
As of July 1, 2017, acceptable forms of identification on which a notary can rely will be:
a. A Florida identification card or driver license issued by the public agency authorized to issue driver
licenses;
b. A passport issued by the Department of State of the United States;
c. A passport issued by a foreign government if the document is stamped by the United States
Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services;
d. A driver license or an identification card issued by a public agency authorized to issue driver
licenses in a state other than Florida, a territory of the United States, or Canada or Mexico;
e. An identification card issued by any branch of the armed forces of the United States;
f. A veteran health identification card issued by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs;
g. An inmate identification card issued on or after January 1, 1991, by the Florida Department of
Corrections for an inmate who is in the custody of the department;
h. An inmate identification card issued by the United States Department of Justice, Bureau of
Prisons, for an inmate who is in the custody of the department;
i. A sworn, written statement from a sworn law enforcement officer that the forms of identification
for an inmate in an institution of confinement were confiscated upon confinement and that the
person named in the document is the person whose signature is to be notarized; or
j. An identification card issued by the United States Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services.
NOTE: This Underwriting Communication is intended for use by title issuing offices, title insurance agents and approved attorneys of First American Title Insurance Company and any reliance by any other person or entity is unauthorized. While the scope of your agency is limited to the functions of underwriting and the issuance of title insurance policies on our behalf and does not include closing or escrow services, we sometimes provide information and recommendations with regard to your ancillary closing or escrow business as a courtesy to you. Moreover, some communications, depending on whether noncompliance could impact on liability under our policies or closing protection letters, should be considered directives. This Communication is being provided to you with those considerations in mind.
* * This UWC should become a permanent part of your records to assure compliance with its requirements. * *
Vesting types for married couples
/in Updates/by Adan GutierrezThere are different forms of real estate ownership that married couples can use to own real estate. The most recognized form for a married couple is to own their home as Tenants by the Entirety. A tenancy by the entirety is ownership in real estate under the fictional assumption that a husband and wife are considered one person for legal purposes. This method of ownership conveys the property to them as one person. An estate by the entirety can only be created between two persons who must be husband and wife. They must be married and their ownership interests cannot be conveyed without the consent and signature of both spouses. In theory the individuality of each spouse is lost because the husband and wife take as one person.
Under this form of ownership, when one spouse dies title to the property passes to the surviving spouse entirely without the need for probate. An advantage of this form of ownership is that no legal proceeding needs to take place at the death of one’s spouse. There is no need for a will or probate because title automatically passes to the surviving spouse. In many states, if a married couple owns property and the title deed does not stipulate the form of ownership, then a tenancy by the entirety is presumed under state law. In other states, the tenancy must be explicitly stated in the deed to create the tenancy and right of survivorship. Not all states recognize this form of ownership.
Married couples might also hold title in Joint Tenancy. In a joint tenancy the couple will hold title to their real estate jointly with equal undivided interests and withrights of survivorship. An undivided interest is an ownership right to use and possess the entire property. However, no single co-owner can mortgage, sell or otherwise convey the real estate without the consent of the other joint tenant. When a joint tenant dies the right of survivorship entitles the surviving co-owner to an equal share of the deceased share of ownership without the need for probateor legal action. An advantage of this type of ownership is that the parties on title need not be married or related and that title automatically passes at the death of the joint tenant to the surviving joint tenant. In some states the title deed must explicitly confer the right of survivorship.
A couple might also hold title to their home as Tenants in Common. In a tenancy in common the couple will hold title to their real estate jointly with equal rights toenjoy the property during their lives. However, unlike a tenancy by the entirety or joint tenancy, tenants in common hold title individually for their respective part of the property and can convey or mortgage their portion of the property without the consent or joinder of the other tenant in common. Unlike a joint tenancy ortenancy by the entirety, there is no right of survivorship in a tenancy in common. When a tenant in common dies, their property interests will pass to their heirs or their devisees specified in their Last Will and Testament. The death of a tenant in common, therefore, will likely require a legal proceeding to determine the rightful owner(s) of the deceased tenant’s interests.
Another form of vesting title to property owned together by married persons or by domestic partners is as Community Property. Community property is distinguished from separate property, which is property obtained prior to marriage or prior to a domestic partnership by separate gift or bequest, after legal separation, or which is agreed in writing to be owned by one spouse or domestic partner. Since all such property is owned equally, both parties must sign all documents and agreements transferring the property or using it as security for a loan. Each spouse has a right to pass on their share to whomever they wish in a last will and testament. This differs from property owned in joint tenancy in that neither spouse can pass their share to anyone but the other spouse.
Community Property with Right of Survivorship is a form of vesting title to property owned together by spouses or by domestic partners. This form of holding title shares many of the characteristics of community property but adds the benefit of the right of survivorship similar to title held in joint tenancy. On the death of an owner, the decedent’s interest ends and the survivor owns all the interest in the property.
Because married couples may hold title to their homes in different forms, extreme care and caution must be exercised when changing a couple’s tenancy. Doing so without careful planning can have profound unforeseen effects on the couples’ property rights and estate plans. It’s important to seek the advice of a legal professional to make sure that when title is taken to real property, it meets the married couples needs.
Disclaimer: The above is for informational purposes only. The Company assumes no legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy.
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Updates
- Title Tale: Title Tips for TrustsApril 18, 2024 - 10:09 am
Instead of Title Tales this month, how about Title Tips? Specifically, Title Tips for Trusts (say that ten times fast and see where your tongue ends up!). ARS specializes in reverse mortgages, and for obvious reasons there are many more trusts to review in proportion to orders than for any other loan type. They keep […]
- Title Tale: Power of Attorney ScenarioMarch 25, 2024 - 1:57 pm
Written by: Mylene Marcelo, Title Manager/Title Officer We have a current vesting deed adding son into title dated 2017 as joint tenants with rights of survivorship. The Deed was executed by a Power of Attorney (POA) made by Wilma, Principal to Fred Jr., as Agent. The POA was dated 1997. Wilma was competent at the time […]
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