Full question:
My husband & I have two deeds held in joint tenancy. In 1998, I had my name legally changed in my county probate court. My name on the deeds themselves, however, was not changed. A local attorney here said I would not need to do new deeds. Rather, that I might want to 'get a certified copy of the Certificate of Name Change and record it in the Registry of Deeds to put the world on notice of the legal name change'. If I don't actually obtain new deeds, will this complicate things for our alternate beneficiaries when my husband & I have both died?
- Category: Name Change
- Date:
- State: Maine
Answer:
Recording a certified copy of your name change may be a practical way to avoid the costs of filing new deeds. However, the acceptance of this practice can vary by county. Some counties recognize this method, while others may require a new deed when a name change occurs. In counties that accept this procedure, filing a new deed might not provide additional protection. In some areas, no action is needed on deeds after a name change, as any necessary references will be made during property sales or probate proceedings after the death of one or both joint tenants.
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