FREE Ebook: Next Stop: Nursing Home Get My Copy Now!

Schedule Your Consultation Today!
Call Us 24 Hours a Day / 7 Days a Week

(407) 574-8125
(407) 574-8125
(407) 574-8125

The Truth About Jointly Titled Assets & Wills

Get The Legal Help You Need

The Truth About Jointly Titled Assets & Wills

June 2, 2022
Geoff Hoatson

We receive this question a lot, but it appears in various ways. Another offshoot of it is whether someone who doesnā€™t have a lot of money should take the time to create a will. Typically, younger people are in the beginning stages of their careers, have limited assets, and may be carrying debt from student loans.

So, do young people (or those without much money) need to create a will? Please forgive us for the classical lawyer answer we are about to give: maybe. We cannot give you an answer because the amount of money you have is not the sole factor in determining whether you need a will. There are several other questions your estate planning attorney is going to ask. For example, they are going to want to know. Are any of your financial assets, physical assets (i.e., real estate or automobiles), jointly titled?

In other words, if you and your spouse bought a home together and you pass away, the home defaults to the person whose name is on the title. The same line of thought extends to your other jointly-titled assets. A will is not going to supersede a title. At best, it is going to state something that will happen anyway.

When Jointly Titled Assets Cause Conflict

There are scenarios in which you should not rely on a jointly-titled asset to stand in place of a will. Where you may run into issues is if you have children. This variable can apply to a wide range of people, but it is crucial. Imagine that someone has multiple childrenā€”but only one of them is a co-owner of the bank account.

When that person passes away, the contents of their account go directly to the co-owner. The co-owners are under no obligation to share that money with their siblings. Jointly titled assets tend to work better between married couples rather than between parents and their children, assuming they have multiple children.

Family First Firm

Understanding how jointly titled assets can impact your estate is only one example of how complex this process can be. When you meet with an attorney at the Family First Firm, we will take the time to understand you, your estate, and your wishes. Then we will craft a unique plan that meets your needs. Contact us today to set up a consultation so that we can begin your estate plan.

Copyright Ā© 2024. Family First Firm - Medicaid & Elder Law Attorneys. All rights reserved.
The information in this blog post (ā€œpostā€) is provided for general informational purposes only and may not reflect the current law in your jurisdiction. No information in this post should be construed as legal advice from the individual author or the law firm, nor is it intended to be a substitute for legal counsel on any subject matter. No reader of this post should act or refrain from acting based on any information included in or accessible through this post without seeking the appropriate legal or other professional advice on the particular facts and circumstances at issue from a lawyer licensed in the recipientā€™s state, country, or other appropriate licensing jurisdiction.
Family First Firm ā€“ Medicaid & Elder Law Attorneys
(407) 574-8125
https://familyfirstfirm.com
Share This Blog

Our Locations

Winter Park Office

Family First Firm - Medicaid & Elder Law Attorneys

1030 W Canton Avenue, Suite 102,
Winter Park, FL 32789

(407) 574-8125Get Directions

Altamonte Springs Office

Family First Firm - Medicaid & Elder Law Attorneys
By Appointment Only

715 Douglas Ave Suite# 40,
Altamonte Springs, FL 32714

(407) 315-2251Get Directions

Get free legal advice sent to your inbox

Name(Required)

Download Our Free Guide on How to Save Your Assets

How to Save Your Assets Form