Unless you have a complex situation or have specific concerns, you likely won't need a lawyer to create a TOD deed. But you will need to make sure that the TOD deed you make is valid in your state, since each state's rules are a little different.
How the TOD Designation Works. The beneficiary's rights. The person you name in the TOD designation to inherit the property doesn't have any legal right to it until your death—or, if you own the property as a "joint tenant" or with "rights of survivorship" with someone else, until the last surviving owner dies.
The TOD account owner can choose, among other entities, his or her estate, individuals (including minors), trusts, and churches as beneficiaries. You retain control.
Disadvantages of transfer on death deeds Creditors may come after the new owner(s) of the property. Beneficiaries may get equal shares of the asset. Not available in many states. Unintentional disinheritance. Raises the risk that estate planning documents don't match.
Unless you have a complex situation or have specific concerns, you likely won't need a lawyer to create a TOD deed. But you will need to make sure that the TOD deed you make is valid in your state, since each state's rules are a little different.
Until you file a TOD Deed, it won't be valid. To record it, you need to find your Land Records office in the county the property is in. This entity can be several names, including: County Recorder, Registrar of Deeds or Land Registry, to name a few.
Disadvantages of transfer on death deeds Creditors may come after the new owner(s) of the property. Beneficiaries may get equal shares of the asset. Not available in many states. Unintentional disinheritance. Raises the risk that estate planning documents don't match.