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Other Names: Beneficiary Deed TOD Ladybird Deed
Transfer on Death Deed document preview

What is a Transfer on Death Deed?

A Transfer on Death Deed can be an easy way to transfer the ownership of property when you pass. By naming one or more new owners and going into effect automatically upon death, a Transfer on Death Deed can help simplify end-of-life planning and make sure your wishes are carried out. 
 
It's important to know that a Transfer on Death Deed trumps anything else you have in place—like a trust, will, or any other legal document. This form can be an excellent tool to ensure that your property goes to the right person (or people). But you have to keep it updated. Make sure you keep it with the rest of your estate plan and update it accordingly. Think it's right for you? A Transfer on Death Deed can help you etch your wishes in stone. 
 
Important Note: Transfer on Death Deeds are currently only allowed in the following states: Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming.  Transfer on Death Deeds may called a Ladybird Deed in Florida, Michigan, Texas, Vermont, and West Virginia. 
 
In addition, a Transfer on Death Deed overrides any existing claim (s) to the property which may be in a will or trust. For example, a TOD overrides any statement in your will leaving the property to other beneficiaries.

When to use a Transfer on Death Deed:

  • You would like to transfer ownership of your property to a beneficiary, but not until your death.
  • You want to avoid probate court.
  • You would like to retain ownership, responsibility, and control of your property while you are alive.

Sample Transfer on Death Deed

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, (herein referred to as "Grantor"), does hereby convey unto (herein referred to as "Grantee"), effective upon my death, the following described real property located in , in the County of , State of Arizona:

(herein referred to as "Grantee"), effective upon our deaths, the following described real property located in , in the County of , State of Arizona:

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, (herein referred to as "Grantor"), does hereby convey unto (herein referred to as "Grantee"), effective upon my death, the following described real property located in , in the County of , State of Arkansas:

(herein referred to as "Grantee"), effective upon our deaths, the following described real property located in , in the County of , State of Arkansas:

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, (herein referred to as "Grantor"), does hereby convey unto (herein referred to as "Grantee"), effective upon my death, the following described real property located in , in the County of , State of Illinois:

(herein referred to as "Grantee"), effective upon our deaths, the following described real property located in , in the County of , State of Illinois:

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, (herein referred to as "Grantor"), does hereby convey unto (herein referred to as "Grantee"), effective upon my death, the following described real property located in , in the County of , State of Indiana:

(herein referred to as "Grantee"), effective upon our deaths, the following described real property located in , in the County of , State of Indiana:

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, (herein referred to as "Grantor"), does hereby convey unto (herein referred to as "Grantee"), effective upon my death, the following described real property located in , in the County of , State of Kansas:

(herein referred to as "Grantee"), effective upon our deaths, the following described real property located in , in the County of , State of Kansas:

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, (herein referred to as "Grantor"), does hereby convey unto (herein referred to as "Grantee"), effective upon my death, the following described real property located in , in the County of , State of Minnesota:

(herein referred to as "Grantee"), effective upon our deaths, the following described real property located in , in the County of , State of Minnesota:

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, (herein referred to as "Grantor"), does hereby convey unto (herein referred to as "Grantee"), effective upon my death, the following described real property located in , in the County of , State of Missouri:

(herein referred to as "Grantee"), effective upon our deaths, the following described real property located in , in the County of , State of Missouri:

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, (herein referred to as "Grantor"), does hereby convey unto (herein referred to as "Grantee"), effective upon my death, the following described real property located in , in the County of , State of Montana:

(herein referred to as "Grantee"), effective upon our deaths, the following described real property located in , in the County of , State of Montana:

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, (herein referred to as "Grantor"), does hereby convey unto (herein referred to as "Grantee"), effective upon my death, the following described real property located in , in the County of , State of Nevada:

(herein referred to as "Grantee"), effective upon our deaths, the following described real property located in , in the County of , State of Nevada:

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, (herein referred to as "Grantor"), does hereby convey unto (herein referred to as "Grantee"), effective upon my death, the following described real property located in , in the County of , State of New Mexico:

(herein referred to as "Grantee"), effective upon our deaths, the following described real property located in , in the County of , State of New Mexico:

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, (herein referred to as "Grantor"), now owner of record of the following real property located at , , Ohio as recorded at Vol. , Page of County deed records:

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, (herein referred to as "Grantor"), does hereby convey unto (herein referred to as "Grantee"), effective upon my death, the following described real property located in , in the County of , State of Oklahoma:

(herein referred to as "Grantee"), effective upon our deaths, the following described real property located in , in the County of , State of Oklahoma:

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, (herein referred to as "Grantor"), does hereby convey unto (herein referred to as "Grantee"), effective upon my death, the following described real property located in , in the County of , State of Wisconsin:

(herein referred to as "Grantee"), effective upon our deaths, the following described real property located in , in the County of , State of Wisconsin:

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, (herein referred to as "Grantor"), does hereby convey unto (herein referred to as "Grantee"), effective upon my death, the following described real property located in , in the County of , State of Hawaii:

(herein referred to as "Grantee"), effective upon our deaths, the following described real property located in , in the County of , State of Hawaii:

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, (herein referred to as "Grantor"), does hereby convey unto (herein referred to as "Grantee"), effective upon my death, the following described real property located in , in the County of , State of Nebraska:

(herein referred to as "Grantee"), effective upon our deaths, the following described real property located in , in the County of , State of Nebraska:

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, (herein referred to as "Grantor"), does hereby convey unto (herein referred to as "Grantee"), effective upon my death, the following described real property located in , in the County of , State of North Dakota:

(herein referred to as "Grantee"), effective upon our deaths, the following described real property located in , in the County of , State of North Dakota:

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, (herein referred to as "Grantor"), does hereby convey unto (herein referred to as "Grantee"), effective upon my death, the following described real property located in , in the County of , State of Oregon:

(herein referred to as "Grantee"), effective upon our deaths, the following described real property located in , in the County of , State of Oregon:

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, (herein referred to as "Grantor"), does hereby convey unto (herein referred to as "Grantee"), effective upon my death, the following described real property located in , District of Columbia:

(herein referred to as "Grantee"), effective upon our deaths, the following described real property located in , District of Columbia:

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, (herein referred to as "Grantor"), does hereby convey unto (herein referred to as "Grantee"), effective upon my death, the following described real property located in , in the County of , Commonwealth of Virginia:

(herein referred to as "Grantee"), effective upon our deaths, the following described real property located in , in the County of , Commonwealth of Virginia:

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, (herein referred to as "Grantor"), does hereby convey unto (herein referred to as "Grantee"), effective upon my death, the following described real property located in , in the County of , State of Washington:

(herein referred to as "Grantee"), effective upon our deaths, the following described real property located in , in the County of , State of Washington:

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, (herein referred to as "Grantor"), does hereby convey unto (herein referred to as "Grantee"), effective upon my death, the following described real property located in , in the County of , State of Wyoming:

(herein referred to as "Grantee"), effective upon our deaths, the following described real property located in , in the County of , State of Wyoming:

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, (herein referred to as "Grantor"), does hereby convey unto (herein referred to as "Grantee"), effective upon my death, the following described real property located in , in the County of , State of Alaska:

(herein referred to as "Grantee"), effective upon our deaths, the following described real property located in , in the County of , State of Alaska:

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, (herein referred to as "Grantor"), does hereby convey unto (herein referred to as "Grantee"), effective upon my death, the following described real property located in , in the County of , State of South Dakota:

(herein referred to as "Grantee"), effective upon our deaths, the following described real property located in , in the County of , State of South Dakota:

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, (herein referred to as "Grantor"), does hereby convey unto (herein referred to as "Grantee"), effective upon my death, the following described real property located in , in the County of , State of West Virginia:

(herein referred to as "Grantee"), effective upon our deaths, the following described real property located in , in the County of , State of West Virginia:

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, (herein referred to as "Grantor"), CONVEYS and WARRANTS the property described below to , for lifetime coupled with an unrestricted power to convey the property during lifetime, pursuant to Michigan Land Tile standard 9.3.

unrestricted power to convey the Property, all right and title to the Property shall fully vest in Grantee(s) named below, subject to liens and encumbrances existing at that time. Grantee holds only a remained interest in the Property, subject to Grantor's retained power above.

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, (herein referred to as "Grantor"), does hereby convey unto (herein referred to as "Grantee"), effective upon my death, the following described real property located in , in the County of , State of Texas:

(herein referred to as "Grantee"), effective upon our deaths, the following described real property located in , in the County of , State of Texas:

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STATE OF , ss:

, ss:

This instrument was acknowledged before me on this ____ day of ___________, _____ by .

I certify that I know or have satisfactory evidence that is the person who appeared before me, and said person acknowledged that s/he signed this instrument and acknowledged it to be his/her free and voluntary act for the uses and purposes mentioned in the instrument.

We, the undersigned witnesses, hereby certify that the above Transfer on Death Instrument was on the date thereof signed and declared by the Grantor as his/her Transfer on Death instrument in our presence and that we, at his/her request in his/her presence in the presence of each other, have signed our names as witnesses thereto, believing to the best of our knowledge that the Grantor was/were at the time of signing of sound mind and memory, and under no influence.

 

 

NOTICE: This Notice of Death Affidavit and Acceptance form or equivalent form must be recorded by the beneficiary within 30 days of the death of the owner to make the transfer on death instrument effective. You should consult a lawyer before using this form.

Deed Instrument

Deed Instrument If a witness is required, a witness signature section will be included in the Deed.Deed Instrument prior to the Grantor's deathDeed Instrument
Transfer on Death Deed document preview

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