Tag Archives: joint ownership
The Risks of Co-ownership of Property
Many individuals believe that co-owing property with relatives is a cheaper alternative to drafting a will or trust. While this may be true, this strategy has some inherent risks. While owning property with family may let you pass on the asset without going through probate, there are several risks – including taxes, creditor exposure,… Read More »
6 Dangers of Joint Property Ownership
In an effort to avoid the some assets passing through the probate process, some people often set up bank accounts or real estate so that these assets are owned jointly with a spouse or other family member. The appeal of joint property ownership is that when one owner dies, the surviving owner will automatically… Read More »
3 Simple Ways to Avoid Probate Costs in Maryland
The bad news: not only does probate take forever, probated estates are subject to a variety of costs from attorneys, executors, appraisers, accountants, and courts. Depending on the complexity, probate costs in Maryland can run into tens of thousands of dollars. In Maryland, attorneys’ fees and executors’ fees are regulated by state statute; the final… Read More »
Warning: If You Own Property This Way, You May Accidentally Disinherit Your Own Children
Owning property as Joint Tenants with Right of Survivorship is easy, common, and often disastrous. Sadly, children – both minor and adult – are often disinherited. While there are several forms of joint ownership, the one most people use (and the one considered in this blog) is called Joint Tenants with Right of Survivorship. When… Read More »