Update property deeds, mortgages, and homeowners insurance if ownership or occupancy changes

The county recorder or register of deeds, normally handled by a real estate attorney or title company.

Read the current deed to see how title is held, since joint tenancy with right of survivorship or community property with right of survivorship passes automatically to the survivor. For a survivorship deed, record an affidavit of death with the county to clear the title. For property in the estate or a trust, have an attorney prepare and record the deed to the heirs or to a buyer. Notify the mortgage servicer and the homeowners insurer of the change in ownership and occupancy.

The current deed A certified copy of the death certificate Letters testamentary or the trust document The property appraisal as of the date of death

Recording an affidavit of death takes days. A full transfer or sale commonly takes 1 to 3 months.