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Co-Own Your Home the Right Way

Co-Own your Home the Right Way

Deed of Severance

The way you co-own your home with your other half really matters.

If you are a couple and you own your house together, your co-ownership will have been registered in one of two ways – either as “joint” owners, or owners “in common”.

The way your co-ownership has been registered is crucial to the effect of your will.

If you are “joint” owners, when the first of you dies, the other will automatically become the sole owner of the house, irrespective of what your will says. This the “Right of Survivorship”.

If you are owners “in common”, however, it’s like owning shares in a company. Your shares in the house are yours to leave according to your will as you see fit.

Consequently, you can achieve a lot more with your wills if you own your house “in common” rather than “jointly”.

If you leave your house in “joint” ownership, that can have unintended consequences for your will, as happened in the story of Ebenezer Aregbesola that we have shared in our blog.

Most married couples, however, are automatically registered as “joint” owners of their home.

If you are “joint” owners, you can convert to ownership “in common” relatively simply, by making a Deed of Severance and registering it at the Land Registry.

The cost of making and registering a Deed of Severance is £150. It is also included with the Family Trust Will and Life Interest Will.

"I decided to get advice about making my will because I was about to travel abroad with my children for the first time in many years. My financial advisor recommended Will Written. I appreciated being able to have a consultation at home, so that I could discuss my situation in confidence. I was able to ask wide-ranging questions and Gina’s knowledge and expertise were reassuring. An estate plan was created for me that exactly suited my needs, resources, family and dependents. I have the peace of mind of having made a will that ensures my assets are safely passed to my children at the end of my life. I also have added protection if I become ill or disabled, because I have made a Lasting Power of Attorney appointing my best friend to manage my affairs if I lose the ability to manage them for myself. "

Christine J

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