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Purchasing Investment Property Married - Does Spouse Need To Sign?

By
Education & Training with Retired Executive Director of Education at eXp Non-Licensed

Signature PenThis question comes up more often then you think.  This applies to California Real Estate purchases. I recieved this email from a fellow member of the Active Rain Network last night and wanted to share.

QUESTION?

Greetings Mr. Andersohn,   I hope this message reaches you doing well.  I came across your Blog on Active Rain, great info - thank you!   Recently a borrower called asking me if she could buy an investment property in her own name.  Sure, I said...asking if she was married.  She said she is married, then I proceded to say that her husband would sign the interspousal transfer deed, thus removing his interest in the property since he is not going to be a party to the mortgage.  

She then advised that her 'attorney' said she could own this investment property as her own, without having him sign anything since the "funds" for the down payment, etc are from non-comingled funds.  WOW!.  I advised that I had not heard of such a thing in California, stating that since we are a community property state, what she buys and owns is also the property of her spouse, hence to own in her name only (Married woman sole and seperate), he would need to sign the interspousal transfer deed.   

What are your thoughts, comments, etc?  I will definately keep your office in mind should I come across a closing need in the Northern California area.  Thank you again for time and attention to my question, I appreciate it. 

 

Brad Andersohn
Retired Executive Director of Education at eXp - Boulder Creek, CA
ActiveBrad - 707.646.1876

ANSWER: 

I checked with my title department and confirmed, the only time the spouse would not need to sign, would be if the wife inherited a certain property, then she could refinance or sell the property without  the spouse needing to sign.  If someone buys a new property with funds obtained through an inheritance, or a loan, their spouse would still need to sign. This still applies to California Real Estate purchases.

Apr 04, 2007 05:59 AM
Brad Andersohn
Retired Executive Director of Education at eXp - Boulder Creek, CA
ActiveBrad - 707.646.1876

QUESTION? Part II:

Thank you again for your assistance and the answer in your Blog.  In relaying the answer to my client she posed part two of the question: she also has "inherited property" that she owns in her name only, MWSSP.   She wants to sell the property and use the proceeds to purchase other property.  So the question is, does she need to have her spouse sign the Interspousal Transfer deed on the newly acquired property?  Remember, she sold an inherited property and purchased property with inherited assets, would she need to simply "exchange" the property to get around it, or what?  OK, its interesting to know that these questions come up more than imagined, however its good to get clear answers.  Thank you again for your time and attention, I appreciate it. 

Apr 04, 2007 11:56 AM
Brad Andersohn
Retired Executive Director of Education at eXp - Boulder Creek, CA
ActiveBrad - 707.646.1876

ANSWER PART II:

The purchase of the new property would still require the signature of the spouse. There is another item to consider, and that is taxes or other payments made on the inherited home.  Were taxes or any other payments ever made with a joint checking or combined account?  If so, you might want to seek the advice of a tax specialist or attorney to determine if the spouse has any legal right to the proceeds from the inherited property as well.  I'm not sure about this, so I would refer you to a network associate here on AR if need be.  Our title dept says if funds are used from the sale of the inherited property, the spouse will still have to sign. Let me know if this addresses your question.  I can't say what other title companies would do, I am only speaking for my own. Feel free to post back to this blog, any additional questions you may have. If I can't answer them, I'll find someone who can. Thank you.

 

Apr 04, 2007 12:09 PM
Julie McLaughlin
Staging Chico - Chico, CA
The way I remember it from my California real estate school,  she's right.
Jul 18, 2007 03:14 AM
Brad Andersohn
Retired Executive Director of Education at eXp - Boulder Creek, CA
ActiveBrad - 707.646.1876
Julie - only if they were not paying taxes, bills, mortgages etc. from a joint checking or savings account.  If he was helping to pay ANY costs associated with the property, it his my understanding that he would then have a vested interest, at least according to my resources.  Thanks for your comment and for stopping by this post!  I truly appreciate it!  :-)
Jul 18, 2007 04:20 AM
Anonymous
CaBa
What if the woman has been separated from her husband and all funds used in the transaction were acquired after the separation? In this case the divorce has been filed, but is still in its early stages. Does the soon to be ex-husband have to sign the deed, if yes, what are the alternatives if he won't do it?
Dec 08, 2007 04:28 AM
#6
Brad Andersohn
Retired Executive Director of Education at eXp - Boulder Creek, CA
ActiveBrad - 707.646.1876
CaBa - regarding title of any co-owned property, I suggest that you seek advice from council or an attorney.  Without knowing all the details, and because each case is unique and  complicated, it would be difficult t give you any advise on this either way.  If you are looking for a real estate attorney, there are many here on AR.  If you have an attorney already representing you,  I would contact them for further advice.  Wish I could help you more, sorry!  :-)
Dec 08, 2007 09:15 AM
Ethan Dozeman
Realty Executives Platinum Group - Grand Rapids, MI
Real Estate in Grand Rapids
Wow, I am from Michigan and we are a dower rights state.  I guess the idea is to protect the women in a marriage.  She can buy, finance, and own a house without her husbands signurature or permission, but the guy needs her permission to take out a loan even if she is not on it.  Very interesting.
Dec 08, 2007 12:00 PM
Brad Andersohn
Retired Executive Director of Education at eXp - Boulder Creek, CA
ActiveBrad - 707.646.1876
Ethan - the laws in your state are so much different in your state than they are in CA.  I didn't know about "Dower Rights" in Michigan. That's what I love about this place, there is so much that can be learned here if we're just paying attention!  Thanks for sharing that information on my post!  Happy Holidays!  :-)
Dec 08, 2007 06:09 PM
Anonymous
mike

I have a buyer for my property, the property has been payed for with my account, she doesnt want to sign ? we live in the state of az a community property state, and I'm sell for a medical problem..

does she have to sign??

Mar 28, 2008 03:46 AM
#10
Brad Andersohn
Retired Executive Director of Education at eXp - Boulder Creek, CA
ActiveBrad - 707.646.1876
Mike - I would check with your local title company or a Real Estate attorney in your area.  I have quite a few friends there in AZ including my Dad. Let me know if you need me to refer you to someone who might be able to help.  Just let me know.  Thanks!  :-)
Mar 28, 2008 03:59 AM
Anonymous
Anonymous

The buyer came to the table, and know as of yesterday its been in escrow, but the wife is still defient :(

but I've been told that since I have been paying with my acount with my disability pay SSDI that she does have a choice but to sign, or the buyer can go after her, is this true.

I have been paying for the property from the beginng and know I have to sell because I've been diegnost with a bad spinal card compresion, doctors bills :(

Mar 28, 2008 03:54 PM
#14
Brad Andersohn
Retired Executive Director of Education at eXp - Boulder Creek, CA
ActiveBrad - 707.646.1876
I'm not sure of the laws that govern your city, county, or state.  I'd advise you to get council from either a Real Estate Attorney or a person who specializes in this sort of thing.  What state are you in? Maybe I can help!  :-)
Mar 28, 2008 04:26 PM
Anonymous
mike
I live in Arizona
Mar 29, 2008 04:02 AM
#16
Brad Andersohn
Retired Executive Director of Education at eXp - Boulder Creek, CA
ActiveBrad - 707.646.1876

Mike -  

Have you tried contacting one of our members here in Arizona?  Just go to the front page at ActiveRain.com.  Click on Arizona, then select your county, then open the pulldown tab to search for attorneys, title company's, lenders, Realtors etc.  I have a few I'd love to refer, but by doing it this way, you can read about each of them, then make your selection based on their profile and or Blog content.  If you need any further help, feel free to contact me anytime at all, thanks Mike!  :-)

Mar 29, 2008 04:45 AM
Anonymous
boomer

My husband and I have been separtated for 10 years, I;m in the process of buying a house and I need to know what forms will he have to sign in order to forfeit his rightv to my property in the future. He is willing to sign off we just dont know what forms we need.

Aug 04, 2008 01:31 PM
#18
Brad Andersohn
Retired Executive Director of Education at eXp - Boulder Creek, CA
ActiveBrad - 707.646.1876

You would probably need a quitclain deed but if you want to get the advice of the ActiveRain community, you will remail anonymous and you can ask the entire network. There is a link at the top of this page called Q&A, if you leave your question there, I guarantee you'll get numerous responses. If you don't get or find what you're looking for, contact me and I will put you in touch with an escrow officer or RE attorney in your area to help you. Thanks Boomer.  :-)

Aug 04, 2008 02:31 PM
Anonymous
Joe

I am in escrow and filed for divorce and physically separated for twenty years. The Sacramento court never dismisses cases automatically and I found them so corrupted but for men in California, so far I had it made. I got a settlement from an inheritance my wife was excluded from this. I put the checks in an account in my name to buy the house. Now my wife won't respond to sign the interspousal transfer. Can I buy the home, as a married man, because title company won't do it without the interspousal transfer, as Married as my sole and separate property without the interspousal transfer? Can I buy and then go to court to get the signature, or do I open it up to community property buying while physically but not legally separated.

Dec 29, 2017 08:53 AM
#20
Brad Andersohn
Retired Executive Director of Education at eXp - Boulder Creek, CA
ActiveBrad - 707.646.1876

That is a great question, you may want to consult with a local attorney or your title company to get Good sound and legal advice?

Dec 30, 2017 07:42 PM