I had a potential client call me this week about a property he owns with his wife, from whom he had recently separated. They are working through their separation agreement, but in the meantime, he felt uncomfortable leaving their house in joint names, as he wanted his share of it to go to their children if something happened to him, rather than going to his wife.
It’s not commonly known, but it is possible to sever a joint tenancy with no notice to the other owner. You sign a deed from yourself to yourself, and now you are tenants in common; if you die, your share now goes through your estate, rather than to the other owner.
It’s usually best to let your co-owners know what’s going on. But if you need to sever ties quickly, you can get it done on your own.
