UNDERSTANDING COMMON WAYS OF 
HOLDING TITLE

How Should I take ownership of the property I am buying?

This important question is one California real property purchasers ask their real estate, escrow and title professionals every day.  

Unfortunately, though these professionals may identify the many methods of owning property, they may not recommend a specific form of ownership, as doing so would constitute practicing law.

Because real property has become increasingly more valuable, the question of how parties take ownership of their property has gained greater importance.  The form of ownership taken—the vesting of title—will determine who may sign various documents involving the property and future rights of the parties to the transaction.  These rights involve such matters as:  real property taxes, income taxes, inheritance and gift taxes, transferability of title and exposure to creditor’s claims.  Also, how title is vested can have significant probate implications in the event of death.

The California Land Title Association (CLTA) advises those purchasing real property to give careful consideration to the manner in which title will be held.  Buyers may wish to consult legal counsel to determine the most advantageous form of ownership for their particular situation, especially in cases of multiple owners of a single property.

The CLTA has provided the following definitions of common vestings as an informational overview.  Consumers should not rely on these as legal definitions.  The Association urges real property purchasers to carefully consider their titling decision prior to closing, and to seek counsel should they be unfamiliar with the most suitable ownership choice for their particular situation.

Common Methods of Holding Title

SOLE OWNERSHIP

Sole ownership may be described as ownership by an individual or other entity capable of acquiring title.  Examples of common vesting cases of sole ownership are:

1.   A Single Man/Woman:

A man or woman who has not been legally married.  For example:  Bruce Buyer, a single man.

2.   An Unmarried Man/Woman:

A man or woman who was previously married and is now legally divorced.  For example:  Sally Seller, an unmarried woman.

3.   A Married Man/Woman as His/Her Sole and Separate Property:

A married man or woman who wishes to acquire title in his or her name alone.  

The title company insuring title will require the spouse of the married man or woman acquiring title to specifically disclaim or relinquish his or her right, title and interest to the property.  This establishes that it is the desire of both spouses that title to the property be granted to one spouse as that spouse’s sole and separate property.  For example:  Bruce Buyer, a married man, as his sole and separate property.

CO-OWNERSHIP

Title to property owned by two or more persons may be vested in the following forms:

1.   Community Property:

A form of vesting title to property owned by husband and wife during their marriage which they intend to own together.  Community property is distinguished from separate property, which is property acquired before marriage, by separate gift or bequest, after legal separation, or which is agreed in writing to be owned by one spouse.

In California, real property conveyed to a married man or woman is presumed to be community property, unless otherwise stated.  Since all such property is owned equally, husband and wife must sign all agreements and documents transferring the property or using it as security for a loan.  Under community property, each spouse has the right to dispose of one half of the community property, by will.  For example:  Bruce Buyer and Barbara Buyer, husband and wife as community property.

2.   Community Property with Right of Survivorship:

A form of vesting title to real property owned by husband and wife during their marriage which they intend to own together.  This form of holding title shares many of the characteristics of Community Property but adds the benefit of the right of survivorship similar to title held in joint tenancy.  There may be tax benefits for holding title in this manner.  Interest must be created on or after July 1, 2001.  On the death of a spouse, the decedent’s interest ends and the surviving spouse owns the property by survivorship and owns the property in severalty.  For example:  Bruce Buyer and Barbara Buyer, husband and wife as community property with right of survivorship.

3.   Joint Tenancy:

A form of vesting title to property owned by two or more persons, who may or may not be married, in equal interest, subject to the right of survivorship in the surviving joint tenant(s).  Title must have been acquired at the same time, by the same conveyance, and the document must expressly declare the intention to create a joint tenancy estate.  When a joint tenant dies, title to the property is automatically conveyed by operation of law to the surviving joint tenant(s).  Therefore, joint tenancy property is not subject to disposition by will.  For example:  Bruce Buyer and Barbara Buyer, husband and wife as joint tenants.

4.   Tenancy in Common:

A form of vesting title to property owned by any two or more individuals in undivided fractional interests.  These fractional interests may be unequal in quantity or duration and may arise at different times. Each tenant in common owns a share of the property, is entitled to a comparable portion of the income from the property and must bear an equivalent share of expenses.  Each co-tenant may sell, lease or will to his/her heir that share of the property belonging to him/her.  For example: Bruce Buyer, a single man, as to an undivided 3/4 interest and Penny Purchaser, a single woman, as to an undivided 1/4 interest, as tenants in common..

Other ways of vesting title include as:

1.   A Corporation*:

A corporation is a legal entity, created under state law, consisting of one or more shareholders but regarded under law as having an existence and personality separate from such shareholders.

2.   A Partnership*:

A partnership is an association of two or more persons who can carry on business for profit as co-owners, as governed by the Uniform Partnership Act.  A partnership may hold title to real property in the name of the partnership.

3.   Trustees of A Trust*:

A Trust is an arrangement whereby legal title to property is transferred by the grantor to a person called a trustee, to be held and managed by that person for the benefit of the people specified in the trust agreement, called the beneficiaries.

4.   Limited Liability Companies (L.L.C.):

This form of ownership is a legal entity and is similar to both the corporation and the partnership.  The operating agreement will determine how the L.L.C. functions and is taxed.  Like the corporation its existence is separate from its owners.

*In cases of corporate, partnership, L.L.C. or trust ownership - required documents may include corporate articles and bylaws, partnership agreements, L.L.C. operating agreement and trust agreements and/or certificates.

Remember:

How title is vested has important legal consequences.  You may wish to consult an attorney to determine the most advantageous form of ownership for your particular situation.