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Removing someone from a deed requires that person to sign a new deed, such as a quitclaim or warranty deed, transferring their ownership interest to the remaining owner(s). The deed must be properly signed, notarized, and recorded with the county clerk where the property is located to be legally effective.

When you sell your home, the title is transferred by signing a deed at closing that conveys ownership to the buyer. The transaction is typically handled by a title company, which records the deed with the county clerk and ensures the buyer receives clear transferred title.

You can add a spouse or parent to your property while remaining on the deed by signing a new deed that transfers a partial ownership interest to them. The deed must be properly signed, notarized, and recorded with the county clerk to reflect the updated ownership.

A title company reviews county records and recorded deeds to determine who is listed on the property title. This information should match the conveyance deed from when the property was purchased, unless other deeds or legal actions have added or removed parties from the title.

When a property owner passes away and cannot sign a deed, the title is transferred through the probate process. A court appoints an executor or administrator who has the legal authority to transfer the property to the heirs according to the will or State law, and the transfer is recorded in the county's records.

When ownership changes due to divorce, the transfer depends on the final divorce decree. In many cases, one spouse must sign a deed, and ownership does not change until that deed is properly signed, notarized, and recorded with the county. In other cases, the divorce decree itself awards the property to one spouse and can be recorded in place of a deed to update the public record.

When a property owner passes away and no probate is filed; ownership may still change through alternative legal methods. Depending on how the property was held, title may transfer by a recorded Affidavit of Heirship, a survivorship agreement, or a Transfer on Death Deed. These documents help establish the rightful heirs and update the public records, even without a formal probate proceeding.

Before a refinance, a lender will order a property report so that they can review current ownership and identify any liens, judgments, or other matters affecting the property. Even though a title search was completed when the property was originally purchased, this updated review confirms that no changes have occurred since that time and ensures the lender has accurate, up-to-date vesting and lien information.