The Transfer on Death Deed or TOD - Beneficiary Deed allows an individual (the Grantor) to designate two individuals (the Grantee Beneficiaries) to receive property upon the Grantor's death. This form is revocable at any time before the Grantor's passing, making it a flexible estate planning option. The deed becomes effective only after the Grantor's death and needs to be recorded to ensure legality. This differentiates it from traditional property transfer methods, as it ensures the property avoids probate and passes directly to the beneficiaries.
This form should be used when an individual wishes to transfer property to two persons after their death, ensuring a swift transfer without going through probate. It is particularly useful for individuals looking to manage their estate in a straightforward manner and who want to maintain control over their property while living.
This form needs to be notarized to ensure legal validity. US Legal Forms provides secure online notarization powered by Notarize, allowing you to complete the process through a verified video call, available anytime.
The California TOD deed form allows property to be automatically transferred to a new owner when the current owner dies, without the need to go through probate. It also gives the current owner retained control over the property, including the right to change his or her mind about the transfer.
If you'd like to avoid having your property going through the probate process, it's a good idea to look into a transfer on death deed. A transfer on death deed allows you to select a beneficiary who will receive your property, but only when you've passed away.
States that allow TOD deeds are Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Maine, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia,
Your deed won't be effective unless you recorded (filed) it in the local public records before your death. To get that done, take the signed deed to the land records office for the county in which the real estate is located. This office is commonly called the county recorder, land registry, or registrar of deeds.