Dealing with the passing of a loved one is already stressful enough, but often when a property owner passes away, of the first questions families ask is: What happens to the house now? In Washington, DC and Maryland, the answer depends entirely on how the property was titled before death. Read more
Searching for an online deed using “DC quitclaim deed form” or “Maryland deed template” makes transferring property look deceptively simple. A few blanks, a notary stamp, and you’re done—right? In reality, online deed forms are one of the most common sources of title problems I see in DC and Maryland. Read more
Step-by-Step: How to Transfer a Property into a Trust in Maryland Owning real estate is often a family’s biggest asset and one of the most important pieces of any estate plan. Often the estate plan will transfer a property into a revocable living trust or another type of trust to Read more
How Property Can Be Transferred Without Payment — and Why Proper Legal Drafting Matters Intro (with inbound links) At Gentile Property Law Office, LLC, I regularly assist clients throughout Washington, DC and Maryland with deed transfers, trust funding, and property-ownership restructuring. If you need help preparing or reviewing a deed, Read more
Why You Should Consider Revising Your Deed in Washington, D.C. to Remove a Deceased Owner — Even When It Isn’t Legally Required When a property owner passes away, their surviving co-owner may assume that nothing needs to be done—especially if the property was held as joint tenants with rights of Read more
Selling your home For Sale by Owner (FSBO) can be empowering—giving you more control over the process and potentially saving thousands in commissions. But navigating the transaction without an agent also means understanding the vocabulary that professionals use every day. Whether you’re drafting your own contract, negotiating terms, or coordinating Read more
Most people assume a deed only changes hands when there’s a sale. In reality, a large share of Maryland deed transfers involve no money at all — what real-estate law refers to as no-consideration transfers. Even though no money changes hands, these transfers must be done correctly to avoid recordation/transfer Read more
When most people think about “estate planning,” they picture wills, trusts, and the transfer of assets after death. But in reality, the most important documents in your estate plan are often the ones that protect you while you are still alive. Two essential documents—your Maryland Power of Attorney (POA) and Read more
Why It’s Essential to Use a Professional to Draft Your Real Estate Contract — Especially in FSBO Transactions In today’s market, more buyers and sellers are choosing to proceed For Sale By Owner (FSBO) or without a real estate agent. While saving on commissions may feel appealing, many overlook the Read more
When planning for the transfer of real estate after death, most people assume that a will or trust is the only way to ensure property passes smoothly to the right individuals. However, in Washington, D.C., property owners have an additional, highly effective option: the Transfer on Death Deed, also called Read more