Do we need to deed our ownership to our son for a loan?

Full question:

We have purchased a home with our son and daughter-in-law. He would like to put a loan on it to buy another home. At our age we don't want to be responsible for the loan. Do we need to deed our ownership over to him and if so how do we do that? We have only owned the home for six months.

  • Category: Real Property
  • Subcategory: Joint Tenants
  • Date:
  • State: California

Answer:

In joint tenancy, all owners share equal rights to the property, and decisions about it must be made together. This includes taking out a second mortgage, which requires joint agreement. On the other hand, tenancy in common allows individuals to own separate shares of the property. Each owner can make independent decisions regarding their share, including obtaining a loan secured by their portion. However, if a tenant in common defaults, the property may need to be sold, and proceeds divided among the owners and creditors.

This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.

FAQs

Yes, you can add someone to your house title without refinancing. This is typically done by executing a new deed that includes the new owner's name. However, if there is a mortgage on the property, the lender may need to be notified, as adding an owner can affect the loan terms. Be aware that this does not change your mortgage obligation, and you remain responsible for the loan unless the lender agrees otherwise.