home owners

when people talk about a lien on a home, they're usually talking about mechanic's liens. if the previous owner had work done to a home and then failed to compensate the contractor for his or her work, that person can file a lien on the property. this actually prevents the owner who defaulted on their payment from selling the home without first paying the construction company, plumber, or electrician.

buying a home is a complicated process. if you're in the market, it's highly recommended you speak with a real estate attorney to make sure everything's on the up and up. transferring a title, on the other hand, is generally simpler. you may find yourself wanting to transfer property to a trust so your grandchildren can inherit it or you may have to transfer property after divorce. most commonly, this is done with a quitclaim deed. it's still a great idea to have a lawyer look over your forms and make sure they do what you'd like them to.

you can. commonly, this is done either via a trust or through a last will and testament. there are advantages and disadvantages to using either document (trusts can often allow you to avoid the probate process, for example), but you usually can bequeth property to your loved ones in your estate plan. if you'd like to do so, it's a good idea to talk with an experienced real estate lawyer.