Common Ways of Holding Title

How Should I Take Ownership of the Property I am Buying?

Real property can be incredibly valuable, and the question of how parties can take ownership of their property is important. The form of ownership, or the vesting of title, will determine who may sign various documents involving the property and future rights of the parties to the transaction. These rights involve such matters as: real property taxes, income taxes, inheritance and gift taxes, transferability of title and exposure to creditors’ claims. Also, how title is vested can have significant probate implications in the event of death.

The Land Title Association (LTA) advises those purchasing real property to give careful consideration to the manner in which title will be held. Buyers may wish to consult legal counsel to determine the most advantageous form of ownership for their particular situation, especially in cases of multiple owners of a single property.

The LTA has provided the following definitions of common vesting as an informational overview. Consumers should not rely on these as legal definitions. The Association urges real property purchasers to carefully consider their titling decision prior to closing, and to seek counsel should they be unfamiliar with the most suitable ownership choice for their particular situation.

Common Methods of Holding Title

Sole Ownership

Sole ownership may be described as ownership by an individual or other entity capable of acquiring title. Examples of common vesting in cases of sole ownership are:

1. A Single Man/Woman: A man or woman who has not been legally married. For example: Bruce Buyer, a single man.
2. An Unmarried Man/Woman: A man or woman who was previously married and is now legally divorced. For example: Sally Seller, an unmarried woman.
3. A Married Man/Woman as His/Her Sole and Separate Property: A married man or woman who wishes to acquire title in his or her name alone.

Co-ownership

Title to property owned by two or more persons may be vested in the following forms:

1. Community Property: A form of vesting title to property owned by husband and wife during their marriage, which they intend to own together.
2. Joint Tenancy: A form of vesting title to property owned by two or more persons, who may or may not be married, in equal interest, subject to the right of survivorship in the surviving joint tenant(s).
3. Tenancy in Common: A form of vesting title to property owned by any two or more individuals in undivided fractional interests. Other ways of vesting title include: A Corporation, A Partnership, As Trustees of A Trust, and Limited Liability Companies (L.L.C.).

Other ways of vesting title include:

1. A Corporation: A corporation is a legal entity, created under state law, consisting of one or more shareholders but regarded under law as having an existence and personality separate from such shareholders.
2. A Partnership: A partnership is an association of two or more persons who can carry on business for profit as co-owners, as governed by the Uniform Partnership Act. A partnership may hold title to real property in the name of the partnership.
3. As Trustees of A Trust: A trust is an arrangement whereby legal title to a property is transferred by the grantor to a person called a trustee, to be held and managed by that person for the benefit of the people specified in the trust agreement, called the beneficiaries.
4. Limited Liability Companies (L.L.C.) This form of ownership is a legal entity and is similar to both the corporation and the partnership. The operating agreement will determine how the L.L.C. functions and is taxed. Like the corporation, its existence is separate from its owners.

In cases of corporate, partnership, L.L.C., or trust ownership, required documents may include corporate articles and bylaws, partnership agreements, L.L.C. operating agreement, and trust agreements and/or certificates.

Remember

How title is vested has important legal consequences. You may wish to consult an attorney to determine the most advantageous form of ownership for your particular situation.