Tag Archives: HUSBSND AND WIFE

HUSBAND DIES, DOES WIFE OWN HOUSE?

Q: Who owns the house? I co-owned a house in which my ex-husband resided. He died with my name still on the deed. Who owns that house now, me or his heirs?

A: If you were married to him at the time your name was put on the deed, it is presumed to be property held by the entireties and passes to the survivor spouse, upon death of the other spouse. I would take the deed to a local lawyer to review it. There is no legal necessity to have a new deed prepared if your deceased husband’s name is still on it, however, some surviving spouses do this.