Back to News

The Importance Of Joint Titling In Estate Law

Published on

May 18, 2017

Typically, spouses jointly own major assets such as bank accounts, their home, and their vehicles. However, when that is not the case and one spouse owns an asset in his or her name only, this difference in titling results in increased processing time and expense when assets are disbursed following the death of the titled spouse.

When assets are jointly titled and one spouse dies, the surviving spouse has legal recourse to access bank accounts, sell real estate or vehicles, and take control of any stock shares. However, if the assets are titled only in the name of the deceased spouse, an estate will need to be opened by probating that individual’s Last Will and Testament. This will result in lawyer fees to administer the estate and transfer of assets, as well as fees paid to the Register of Wills for probate. Tax preparation and paperwork is also involved in this case as date of death values must be obtained for each asset in written form and a Pennsylvania Inheritance Tax Return must be filed, even if no Pennsylvania Inheritance Tax is required to be paid. Title transfer paperwork will also be required to transfer the assets from the deceased spouse to the surviving spouse. If bank accounts are the assets in question, their funds cannot be accessed by the surviving spouse until the title transfer is complete, which can take several months depending on where the bank is located.

To save the time and money involved in the posthumous title transfer process, ensure that any current assets are jointly titled with your spouse, and that any future assets are titled in such a way as well.


Related News

View More News
Press Release
October 3, 2024

Barley Snyder Partner Latisha Bernard Schuenemann Named to Special Needs Alliance

For Immediate Release Reading, Pa. – Barley Snyder partner Latisha Bernard Schuenemann has been selected as the newest memb...

Learn More
Press Release
September 6, 2024

Barley Snyder Adds Two Trusts & Estate Attorneys in Lancaster Office

For Immediate Release Lancaster, Pa. – Barley Snyder is pleased to announce attorneys Kristen L. Hartman and Gloria A. Shat...

Learn More
Press Release
August 28, 2024

Barley Snyder Partner Latisha Bernard Schuenemann accepted into the Mid-Atlantic Fellows Institute of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel

For Immediate Release Reading, Pa. – Barley Snyder partner Latisha Bernard Schuenemann has been accepted into Class IV of t...

Learn More

Other Upcoming Events

View All Upcoming Events
Oct
23
3:00 pm
-
6:00 pm
event
Location

2024 Lancaster Business Seminar

Learn More
Oct
30
3:00 pm
-
6:00 pm
event
Location

2024 Harrisburg Business Seminar

Learn More
Nov
06
7:30 am
-
11:00 am
event
Location

Wake Up With Barley – A Morning on Real Estate 2024

Learn More

Get in Touch

Our attorneys, paralegals and staff look forward to hearing from you. Please reach out to let us know how we can help.

Get In Touch
RECOGNIZED IN
Super Lawyers
Best Law Firms US News
Best Lawyers