Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in Arizona

Will/Beneficiary Deed

If a will states that property is to be split 60/40 between two family members but only one family member is listed on the Beneficiary Deed to a property. Do the proceeds of a sale on that property have to be split 60/40?


Asked on 7/18/08, 9:39 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys

James Jenkins Jenkins Law Center PLC

Re: Will/Beneficiary Deed

The beneficiary on a Beneficiary Deed owns the property upon death of the grantor. The property does not pass by the will to that beneficiary, but by operation of the beneficiary deed.

Having said that, no opinion can be given on your case without a personal examination of the will and the beneficiary deed, and all facts of the case. It sounds like the do-it-yourself approach might have given people the wrong expectation for a bequest. A professional opinion will settle the issue hopefully.

See an estate attorney. We offer free no obligation consultations. For more legal information see our blog at JenkinsLawCenter.blogspot.com

Best regards,

James D. Jenkins

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Answered on 7/18/08, 10:27 pm
Donald Scher Donald T. Scher & Associates, P.C.

Re: Will/Beneficiary Deed

The beneficiary deed transfers title to the property outside of the Will, and therefore, is not divided under the Will. Title transfers to the beneficiary by operation of law.

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Answered on 7/18/08, 11:49 pm


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