DeedClaim

Online Deed Preparation

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  • Select the state where the property is located.
  • Each state has its own legal requirements. Your documents will be customized for use in your state.

  • Calculated Interview Variables

  • The product name, including the state
  • Just the legal name of the document
  • Tenancy by the entirety is a form of co-ownership between spouses in some states.
  • Enhanced life estate deeds, often called lady bird deeds, are a special form of life estate deed that gives the grantor retained control over the property during life, including the right to use the property for profit or to sell the property without involving the remainder beneficiaries.
  • Please fill out other fields.

  • Use the following format: A ___ to B. For example, "remises, releases, and quitclaims."
  • Use the following format: A and B ___ to C. For example, "remise, release, and quitclaim."
  • Title insurers in some states disfavor quitclaim deeds as instruments conveyance and prefer alternative deed forms.
  • For example, "Deed Without Warranty" or "No Warranty Deed"
  • Use the following format: A ___ to B. For example, "grants, bargains, sells, and conveys without warranty."
  • Use the following format: A and B ___ to C. For example, "grant, bargain, sell, and convey without warranty."
  • Use the following format: A ___ to B. For example, "bargains, sells, conveys, and warrants specially."
  • Use the following format: A and B ___ to C. For example, "bargain, sell, convey, and warrant specially."
  • Use the following format: A ___ to B. For example, "bargains, sells, conveys, and warrants generally."
  • Use the following format: A and B ___ to C. For example, "bargain, sell, convey, and warrant generally."
  • A trust certificate may be called, by other names, such as a certification of trust, trust certification, or affidavit of trust.
  • Fill in the blank: The transfer tax is assessed at a rate of _____.
  • Do not include the transfer tax return described above (if applicable).
  • Fill in the blank: An informational return is required ____. For example, "if the consideration is not stated on the face of the deed."
  • For example, "chancery clerk" or "circuit court"
  • For example, "land records" or "record of deeds"
  • Fill in the blank: Recording costs ___. For example, "are $12.50 for the first page and $8.00 for each additional page."
  • Some states require the property tax number, also called an assessor's number or tax parcel number, to be included on the deed.
  • Some states require the deed to include the book and page or instrument number of the prior recorded deed.
  • Some states require deeds to include the name of the title insurance underwriter insuring such instrument or a statement that the existence of title insurance is unknown.
  • Please enter a number from 1 to 4.
  • County Information

    Enter the following information about the local jurisdiction where the property is located.
  • Enter the city or municipality where the property is located. Include the full context (for example, "City of San Francisco" instead of just "San Francisco").
  • Fill in the blank: The property is in the ____ ___________District. For example, "First Judicial" or "Nineteenth Recording."
  • Goals

    The next step is to be sure that we are creating the right type of deed for you. If you are unsure of the type of deed you need, the questions below can help you with your choice.
  • Choose the Type of Deed

  • The following deed types can all be used to avoid probate in your state. For more information about how deeds can be used to avoid probate, see How to Avoid Probate of Real Estate.
  • We will create a deed to transfer property at the current owner's death. The section below will help you determine the warranty of title to include in tthe deed. Deeds are named after the warranty of title decision (deed is a secondary designation).
  • You will be given the option to create a deed with right of survivorship once you enter the names of the owners on the upcoming New Owner Information screen.
  • If you know the type of deed you would like, choose it from the options below. Otherwise, choose Help Me Decide for assistance with determining the right deed form for you.
  • Deed forms are named after the warranty of title that they provide. The decision of what warranty of title to provide depends on your goals and can vary from deed to deed.

    A warranty of title is a legal guarantee from the current owner (grantor) to the new owner (grantee) that there are no title issues. If a deed makes a warranty of title, the grantee can sue the grantor over any title issues.

    Title issues can be caused by many things, including errors in the public record, unknown liens against the property, undisclosed prior conveyances, forged deeds, missing heirs or unprobated wills, or disputes about boundary lines or surveys.

    The questions below will help determine the correct warranty of title to include in the deed. For more information, see our discussion of Warranties of Title.

  • Most people choose "No" if the property is being transferred as a gift between family members or others that are in a close personal relationship OR if the transfer will take effect at death (e.g., a lady bird deed or TOD deed).
  • Choose if you want the grantor(s) to be responsible for all title issues, including those that relate to the time before the grantor(s) owned the property.

    Choose if you want the grantor(s) to be responsible for only title issues that relate to the time that the grantor(s) owned the property.

  • Choose quitclaim deed if you do not want the grantor(s) to be responsible for any title issues affecting the property.

  • Current Owner Information

    The current owners of the property that will sign the deed are called grantors. Use the Add Grantor button below to add the name and address of each grantor.
  • Grantor Name Actions
     
    • Edit
    • Delete
    Use the Add Grantor button below to add grantors.

    Maximum number of grantors reached.

  • Spouse 1 Information

  • Review the prior deed to the property. Does this spouse's name differ in any way from the way the prior deed is worded? If so, choose "Yes."
  • Spouse 2 Information

  • Review the prior deed to the property. Does this spouse's name differ in any way from the way the prior deed is worded? If so, choose "Yes."
  • New Owner Information

  • Grantee Name Actions
     
    • Edit
    • Delete
    Use the Add Grantee button below to add grantees.

    Maximum number of grantees reached.

  • Divorce Information

    This section allows you to enter information about the decree, judgments, or other court document that ordered or approved the divorce. If the divorce is not yet final, or if you do not have this information, change your answer on the Goals screen to "Make a lifetime transfer of the property to one or more new owners" and complete the interview listing the parties marital status at the time that the deed will be signed.
  • Enter the title of the court-ordered or court-approved divorce decree or judgment. For example, "Final Decree of Divorce."
  • Date Format: MM slash DD slash YYYY
  • Enter the name of the court that issued or approved the divorce decree, judgment, or settlement. For example, "District Court of Travis County, Texas."
  • Enter the cause number from the divorce decree of judgment. For example, "Cause No. 2018-3456" or "Case No. 2019-12."
  • Trust Information

    Enter the following information about the trust that will own the property.
  • Date Format: MM slash DD slash YYYY
  • Trustee 1

    Enter the following information about the first trustee.
  • Trustee 2

    Enter the following information about the second trustee.
  • Trustee 3

    Enter the following information about the first trustee.
  • Trustee 4

    Enter the following information about the first trustee.
  • Address

  • Form of Co-Ownership

  • Deed Consideration

    This section will help determine the consideration to include on the deed. Consideration is the legal term for something given in exchange for the property. As a general rule, real estate may be transferred with or without consideration. You can find out more about consideration in our discussion of Consideration for Deeds.
  • Choosing Nominal consideration above means that you may need to file a separate document when you file the deed. When you transfer real estate in your state, you must either state the actual purchase price on the deed or file a separate document to let the taxing authority determine the amount of tax due on the transfer. This document should not be complicated and, in some cases, may be required regardless of what the deed says. But if you want to avoid having to file the return, consider changing your answer to list the actual purchase price of the property.
  • Legal Description

    To be valid, a deed or affidavit must include a legal description. The legal description for the deed or affidavit purposes is not the same as the legal description from the property tax records. You should not use the description from the property tax records as the legal description. Make sure to get the legal description from the prior deed.

  • How to Find a Legal Description

    A legal description is a description of real estate that is sufficient to identify it for legal purposes. The best source of the legal description is the prior deed to the property (the deed that conveyed the property to the current owner or owners).

    To locate the legal description in the prior deed, look for words of introduction like "… described as follows." This language indicates that the legal description is about to begin. The legal description is often double-indented or set in boldface type to set it apart from the rest of the deed.

    Example of Subdivision (Lot and Block) Legal Description

    If real estate is located in a subdivision, the legal description may be very simple. It will typically refer to one or more lots, the block (or blocks) on which the lots are located, the subdivision name, and the county and state.

    Lot and Block Legal Description

    Lot and Block Legal Description

    To see an example of how a lot and block legal description appears on an actual deed, see Sample Deed – Lot and Block.

    Example of Survey (Metes and Bounds) Legal Description

    A metes and bounds description describes the property by locating it within the public surveying system. The boundaries of the property are described by working around a parcel of real estate in sequence, starting with a point of beginning. The point of beginning could be a landmark or a point described based in the United States Public Land Survey System. Here’s an example of a metes and bounds description:

    Metes and Bounds Legal Description

    Metes and Bounds Legal Description

    To see an example of how a metes and bounds description appears on an actual deed, see Sample Deed – Metes and Bounds.

  • Enter the legal description for the property. To find the legal description, look at the deed that conveyed the property to the current owner. For more information on how to locate and type a legal description, see What is a Legal Description of Real Estate?

  • Enter the number used to identify the property for local property tax purposes. It may go by different names, depending on the county. To locate it, look at prior tax statements, the prior deed to the property, or the city or county property tax records. Most counties have online search tools to search the property tax records.
  • Enter the indexing instructions. This information is required in your state in order to follow the chain of title. You can usually copy the indexing instructions from the prior deed.
  • Prior Deed Information

    Enter information about the deed that transferred the property to the owner that is currently transferring the property. This information is used to connect the chain of title between owners.
  • Enter the name of the owner that transferred the property to the person who is currently transferring the property. This is usually the person listed as "Grantor" in the most recently recorded deed.
  • Enter the title of the deed or other instrument that transferred the property to {Prior Owner:142:fallback[the person that is currently transferring the property]}.
  • Fill in the blank for the Instrument Number or Book/Page Number: The prior instrument was recorded _________. This information is usually stamped on the document by the clerk at the time that the document was recorded. Examples: "as Instrument No. 2011013487" or "in Book 8B at Page 38"
  • Enter the date that the prior instrument was recorded. The date would have been stamped on the prior instrument by the clerk at the time that the prior instrument is recorded.
    Date Format: MM slash DD slash YYYY
  • State law requires the deed to state either the name of the title insurance underwriter insuring the deed or a statement that the existence of title insurance is unknown. If you do not plan to purchase a title insurance policy, choose the first option.
  • List the name of the title insurance underwriter that will insure the deed.
  • Transfer Tax Exemptions

    State law imposes a transfer tax on transfers of state real estate. Many deeds are exempt from transfer tax, as long as the basis for the exemption is stated on the deed. This section helps you determine whether the transfer is exempt from state transfer tax. If so, our software will include the required statement on the deed.
  • Select the transfer tax that applies to this transfer (if any). If a default option is selected, we recommend leaving that option selected even if other options could apply.
  • Interest Conveyed

    Enter the following information about the interest conveyed. As a general rule, if all property owners are signing the deed (which is usually recommended), then the deed should convey the entire property.
  • If this document deals with only a partial interest in the property, select "Partial Interest." Otherwise, select "Entire Interest."
  • This document relates to an undivided ___ interest in the property (e.g., 1/2, 50 percent).
  • Preparer Information

    Enter the following information about the person preparing this document.
  • Use the full context. For example, if your Texas bar number is 12345, enter "Texas Bar No. 12345" instead of just "12345."
  • Return-To Address

    Enter the name and address where the documents should be returned once they are recorded
  • Signing Information (Optional)

    Enter the following information about the place and date of signature. If you are unsure when or where the document will be signed, click Next to skip to the next section.
  • Select the state in which this document will be signed. If unsure, leave blank.
  • Date Format: MM slash DD slash YYYY
  • Document Options

    The options below can help further customize your document to meet your preferences.
  • PDF files do not require word processing software like Microsoft Word. The disadvantage of PDF files is that they are difficult to edit after assembly (although you can always contact us if you need to change your answers). Microsoft Word files can be edited in Microsoft Word (or compatible software) after the document is created.
  • Our software will look for items like improper capitalization and attempt to correct them. If you would like to turn this feature off, uncheck the box. If you are unsure, leave the box checked. You can always change this later.
  • Your use of the information and tools provided on this site, including any calculators, our deed preparation software, and the documents generated by the deed preparation software (collectively, this “site”), is governed by these Terms of Use. By using this site, you are agreeing to each of the terms described in these Terms of Use.

    No Attorney-Client Relationship
    This site does not and cannot create an attorney-client relationship with DeedClaim LLC or any law firm or any attorney. Your use of this site does not include any legal advice, explanation, opinion, or recommendation about your possible legal rights, remedies, defenses, options, selection of forms, or legal strategies.

    No Tax Advice
    The information contained in this site does not constitute tax advice. Any discussion of tax matters contained in this site is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, for the purpose of avoiding penalties under the Internal Revenue Code or promoting, marketing or recommending to another party any transaction or matter.

    Self-Representation
    We will not provide any service other than access to our drafting software, which you use at your own risk, and related non-legal services. You are representing yourself in any legal matter you undertake through our site.
    Our service is not a substitute for the advice of an attorney. We will not provide any legal advice, and your communications with us are not protected by the attorney-client privilege or work product doctrine.

    Legal Representation
    We may contract with attorneys to provide document review for our customers. If you use this service, the information that you submit in the interview will be forwarded to an attorney that is independent of DeedClaim LLC. Unless that attorney agrees in writing to represent you, your submission of this information does not create an attorney-client relationship. Although it would be very unusual for a contracted attorney to decline representation, each contracted attorney has the right to do so. The attorney may choose—for any reason or for no reason—to decline to represent you. If you have paid for attorney review and the attorney declines to represent you, your payment will be refunded.

    Information on This Site
    This site provides an online legal portal to give visitors a general understanding of the law. It also provides an automated software solution to individuals who choose to prepare their own legal documents. The information published on this site is only general information on issues that are commonly encountered.

    Although we try to ensure that the information on our website and documents are up-to-date and legally sufficient, the legal information on this site is not legal advice and is not guaranteed to be correct, complete or up-to-date. Because the law changes rapidly, is different from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, and is also subject to varying interpretations by different courts and certain government and administrative bodies, we cannot guarantee that all the information on the site is completely current. The law is a personal matter, and no general information or legal tool like the kind we provide can fit every circumstance. You should not rely upon this site as a substitute for seeking legal advice from an attorney.

    The information on this site is general information only and is not specific to your situation. If you have specific legal questions, you should consult with an attorney.

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    We are not responsible for any loss, injury, claim, liability, or damage related to your use of this site or any site linked to this site, whether from errors or omissions in the content of our site or any other linked sites, from the site being down or from any other use of the site. In short, your use of the site is at your own risk.

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    DeedClaim LLC expressly disclaims all liability, loss or risk incurred as a direct or indirect consequence of the use of this site. By using this site, you waive any rights or claims you may have against DeedClaim LLC in connection with their use. DeedClaim LLC does not endorse, and is not responsible for, any third-party content that may be accessed through this site.

    Legal Use of this Site
    You agree to use this site in compliance with all applicable laws, including your state’s property transfer and recording laws and all applicable tax laws. You also agree to indemnify and hold DeedClaim LLC harmless from and against any and all claims, damages, losses or obligations arising from any use of this site that is illegal or improper.

    Information You Provide
    Once they are recorded, deeds are a matter of public record. The information that we require to prepare the deed includes only the minimum amount necessary to identify the parties, the property, the preparer, and other elements. We anticipate that all of this information will become a matter of public record when the deeds are filed.
    As part of the normal operation of the underlying software, our platform stores information that you have entered (as well as a copy of the formation documents generated based on such information) so that the underlying software can operate as designed. By using our software, you confirm that you have authority to share any information that you furnish. DeedClaim LLC disclaims any and all liability in connection with the collection, use or disclosure of the information furnished by you or otherwise collected by this tool.

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    DeedClaim LLC at its sole discretion and at any time may choose to change the terms, conditions, content and operation of this site without any obligation to notify any person, including any prior user of this site. DeedClaim LLC also reserves the right to refuse to provide access to this site, and it shall not be liable for any losses resulting from such refusal.

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  • Home
  • Deeds
    • Quitclaim Deed
    • Special Warranty Deed
    • Warranty Deed
    • TOD Deed
    • Lady Bird Deed
    • Life Estate Deed
  • States
    • Alabama Deed Forms
    • California Deed Forms
    • Florida Deed Forms
    • Illinois Deeds Forms
    • Indiana Deed Forms
    • Michigan Deed Forms
    • Texas Deed Forms
    • Utah Deed Forms
    • Virginia Deed Forms
    • Washington Deed Forms
  • How it Works
  • Pricing
  • Get Deed
  • Basic Information

  • (Optional)
  • (Optional)
  • Review the prior deed to the property. Does this owner's name differ in any way from the way the prior deed is worded? If so, choose "Yes."
  • Under {Parent:1} law, the deed will not be valid without the signature of this owner's spouse. Enter the spouse's information in the section below.

  • Choose Yes only if this person is not able to sign the deed on his or her own behalf and has a valid power of attorney appointing an agent to sign the deed on his or her behalf. A power of attorney should be used with caution, and only when the current owner is unable to sign on his or her own behalf.

  • Agent Information

    Enter the following information about the agent under this owner's power of attorney.
  • (Optional)
  • (Optional)
  • Enter the title of the power of attorney that gives the agent the authority to sign documents. For example, "General Durable Power of Attorney."
  • Enter the signing date of the power of attorney that gives the agent the authority to sign documents.
    Date Format: MM slash DD slash YYYY
  • Spouse Information

    A married couple counts as a single entry. Only enter spouse information once for each married couple. Once you enter the spouse's information here, do not add the spouse as a separate entry.
  • (Optional)
  • (Optional)
  • Organization Information

  • Representative Information

  • (Optional)
  • (Optional)
  • Trust Information

  • Date Format: MM slash DD slash YYYY
  • Trustee 1

    Enter the following information about the first trustee.
  • Trustee 2

    Enter the following information about the second trustee.
  • Trustee 3

    Enter the following information about the third trustee.
  • Trustee 4

    Enter the following information about the fourth trustee.
  • Address

  • Concatenated Fields

  • Basic Information

  • (Optional)
  • (Optional)
  • Review the prior deed to the property. Does this owner's name differ in any way from the way the prior deed is worded? If so, choose "Yes."
  • Under {Parent:1} law, most assets acquired during the marriage are considered "community property" by default. There are exceptions for gifts of property or inherited property. Community property is owned by both spouses equally (50/50).

  • Spouse Information

    A married couple counts as a single entry. Only enter spouse information once for each married couple. Once you enter the spouse's information here, do not add the spouse as a separate entry.
  • (Optional)
  • (Optional)
  • Organization Information

  • Representative Information

  • (Optional)
  • (Optional)
  • Trust Information

  • Date Format: MM slash DD slash YYYY
  • Trustee 1

    Enter the following information about the first trustee.
  • Trustee 2

    Enter the following information about the second trustee.
  • Trustee 3

    Enter the following information about the third trustee.
  • Trustee 4

    Enter the following information about the fourth trustee.
  • Address

  • Concatenated Fields