What is a Tangled Title?

Have you ever heard of a “Tangled Title”? This is when someone passes away Intestate (without a Will) and the descendants aren’t on the deed. Though common, they are usually resolved through the probate process.

Sometimes, a family property is occupied by a child as their family home, who then passes away Intestate as well. We run into this when a property is passed on to several children, one or more of whom receive public benefits. It can place the benefits at risk and always costs more to resolve than if the original owner had a Will.

1.?Causes of Tangled Titles

A tangled title can arise from various circumstances, including:

• Inheritance without proper recording of new deeds
• Missing or incorrect deeds
• Unresolved estate issues
• Unrecorded or forged documents

2.?Consequences of Tangled Titles

Having a tangled title can lead to:

• Having difficulty accessing services like property insurance or loans
• Barriers to refinancing or selling the property
• Increased risk of disputes or lawsuits over ownership
• Potential loss of property rights

3.?Resolving Tangled Titles

To resolve a tangled title:

• Consult with a qualified attorney experienced in real estate law
• Gather and review all relevant documents and records
• Work with the attorney to create a clear and accurate record of ownership

As always, my articles are for general information and not legal advice. Contact a licensed Attorney for your situation, or contact me 484-854-1366 or [email protected] and I’ll connect you with one we work with.