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What is the process of adding a name to a deed?

A fellow caregiver asked...

My aunt had a brain hemorrhage and she is single , unmarried, with no children. She wants to put my name on her home so that I can help her with the notes, and the upkeep. How do we start? She is 70 years old and is expected to recover.

Expert Answer

Steve Weisman hosts the nationally syndicated radio show A Touch of Grey, heard on more than 50 stations, including WABC in New York City and KRLA in Los Angeles. He is a practicing lawyer specializing in estate planning and is admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court. He's a public speaker and commentator who has appeared on many radio and television shows throughout the country, and he's the legal editor of Talkers magazine, the preeminent trade publication of talk radio. His latest book is The Truth About Avoiding Scams.

This is a lot more complicated than merely putting your name on the deed. "Putting your name on the deed" means adding you as an owner of the property and there are different ways that you can be made an owner of the property including being added as a tenant in common, a joint tenant or creating a trust to own the property with both of you as beneficiaries. Which of these would be best for your aunt depends on what her wishes are. You also may wish to consider the ramifications of adding you as an owner in regard to possible future Medicaid needs.

Preparing a deed by which you are added as an owner is a simple matter for any attorney, but deteriming the financial relationship of your ownership interests is complex and should be specifically tailored to her wishes and needs. I suggest that you contact a lawyer to help you with this.