The question of how to hold title comes up frequently whether it's asked to a real estate agent, an escrow officer, or a title representative in Big Bear.  You should be very careful deciding how to hold title as it can have major legal consequences affecting your taxes, your credit, and how property is transfered to someone in the event of death.  Below is a chart I reference on occasion for informational purposes only.  A friend in the title business gave me a sheet very similar to this and I thought it was presented very well so I figured it would be helpful to share with you.  I would recommend consulting with an attorney and/or CPA for specific advice to determine what's most advantageous for you.  You will have fees associated with these services but I strongly recommend consulting with professional counsel to ensure your interests are best served. 

Concurrent Co-Ownership Interests

 

Community Property Joint Tenancy Tenancy In Common Tenancy In Partnership Title Holding Trust Community Property   Right of Survivorship
Parties Only husband and wife Any number of persons (can be husband and wife) Any number of persons (can be husband and wife) Only partners (any number) Individuals, groups of persons, partnerships or corporations, a living trust Only husband and wife
Division Ownership and managerial interests are equal (except control of business is solely with managing spouse) Ownership interest must be equal Ownership can be divided into any number of interests equal or unequal Ownership interest is in relation to interest in partnership Ownership is a personal property interest and can be divided into any number of interests Ownership and managerial interests are equal
Title Title is in the "community".  Each interest is separate but management is unified Sale or encumbrance by joint tenant severs joint tenancy Each co-owner has a separate legal title to his/her undivided interest Title is in the "partnership" Legal and equitable title is held by the trustee Title is in the "community" management is unified
Possession Both co-owners have equal management and control Equal right of possession Equal right of possession Equal right of possession but only for partnership purposes Right of possession as specified in the trust provisions Both co-owners have equal management and control
Conveyance Personal property (except "necessaries") may be conveyed for valuable consideration without consent for other spouse; real property requires written consent of other spouse and separate interest cannot be conveyed except upon death Conveyance by one co-owner without the others breaks the joint tenancy

Each co-owner's interest may be conveyed separately by it's owner    

Any authorized partner my convey whole partnership property for partnership purposes Designated parties within the trust agreement authorize the trustee to convey the property.  Also a beneficiary's interest in the trust my be transferred Right of survivorship may be terminated pursuant to the same procedures by which a joint tenancy may be severed
Purchaser's Status Purchaser can only acquire whole title of community; cannot acquire a part of it Purchaser will become a tenant in common with the other co-owners in the property Purchaser will become a tenant in common with the other co-owners in the property Purchaser can only acquire the whole title A purchaser may obtain a beneficial interest by assignment or may obtain legal and equitable title from the trust Purchaser can only acquire whole title of community; cannot acquire a part of it
Death On co-owner's death, 1/2 belongs to survivor in severalty.  1/2 goes by will to descendant's devisee or by succession to survivor On co-owner's death, his/her interest ends and cannot be disposed of by will.  Survivor owns the property by survivorship. On co-owner's death his/her interest passes by will to devisee or heirs.  No survivorship right On partner's death his/her partnership interest passes to the surviving partner pending liquidation of the partnership.  Share of deceased partner then goes to his/her estate Successor beneficiaries may be named in the trust agreement, eliminating the need for probate Upon the death of a spouse, his/her interest passes to the surviving spouse, without administration, subject to the same procedures as property held in joint tenancy
Successor's Status If passing by will, tenancy in common between devisee and survivor results Last survivor owns property Devisee or heirs become tenants in common Heirs or devisee have rights in partnership interest but not specific property Defined by the trust agreement, generally the successor becomes the beneficiary and trust continues Surviving spouse owns property
Creditor's Rights Property in community is liable for debts of either spouse which are made before or after marriage.  Whole property may be sold on execution sale to satisfy creditor Co-owner's interest may be sold on execution sale to satisfy creditor.  Joint tenancy is broken, creditor becomes a tenant in common Co-owner's interest may be sold on execution sale to satisfy his/her creditor.  Creditor becomes a tenant in common Partner's interest cannot be seized or sold separately by his/her personal creditor but his/her share of profits may be obtained by a personal creditor.  Whole property may be sold on execution of sale to satisfy partnership creditor Creditor may seek an order for execution sale of the beneficial interest or may seek an order that the trust estate be liquidated and the proceeds distributed Property of community is liable for debts of either which are made before or after marriage; whole property may be sold on execution sale to satisfy creditor
Presumption Strong presumption that property acquired by husband and wife is community Must be expressly stated Favored in doubtful cases except husband and wife case Arise only by virtue of partnership status in property placed in partnership A trust is expressly created by an executed trust agreement Must be expressly stated

 

3 Comments on Holding Title in California Real Estate

MAR
13
2008
thanks for the chart. ill be helpful in the future!
7:56pm • #1
No problem, Josh.  We have to overstate the fact that we're not attorney's and that we can't give advice.....but visually I think it's pretty easy to reference for clients.
8:01pm • #2
SEP
11
2008
112,476 Points Outside Blog

Hi Mike,

Great post!  I'm partially biased though because I wrote the Title Holding Trust part when I ran The Chicago Trust Company of California for Chicago Title!  :-) 

I hadn't seen the chart in a while.  We are actually going to roll out a new Title Holding Trust product in the very near future. 

11:55pm • #3

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Mike Wochner, Big Bear Lake Real Estate Agent

Big Bear Lake, CA

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Coldwell Banker, Mountain Gallery Realtors in Big Bear Lake

Address: 42153 Big Bear Blvd, PO Box 6820, Big Bear Lake, CA, 92315

Office Phone: (909) 866-3481 x 225

Cell Phone: (909) 633-2558

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