Source: https://development.code.dccouncil.us/dc/council/code/titles/19/chapters/6/subchapters/IV/
Timestamp: 2019-04-23 16:21:01+00:00

Document:
D.C. Law Library - Subchapter IV. Uniform Real Property Transfers On Death.
↪ Chapter 6. Nonprobate Transfers on Death; Uniform Law.
↪ Subchapter IV. Uniform Real Property Transfers On Death.
Subchapter III. Uniform TOD Security Registration.
Subchapter IV. Uniform Real Property Transfers On Death.
§ 19–604.05. Transfer on death deed authorized.
§ 19–604.06. Transfer on death deed revocable.
§ 19–604.07. Transfer on death deed nontestamentary.
§ 19–604.08. Capacity of transferor.
§ 19–604.10. Notice, delivery, acceptance, consideration not required.
§ 19–604.11. Revocation by instrument authorized; revocation by act not permitted.
§ 19–604.12. Effect of transfer on death deed during transferor’s life.
§ 19–604.13. Effect of transfer on death deed at transferor’s death.
§ 19–604.15. Liability for creditor claims and statutory allowances.
§ 19–604.16. Optional form of transfer on death deed.
§ 19–604.17. Optional form of revocation.
§ 19–604.18. Uniformity of application and construction.
§ 19–604.19. Relation to Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act.
This subchapter may be cited as the “Uniform Real Property Transfer on Death Act”.
(1) “Beneficiary” means a person that receives property under a transfer on death deed.
(2) “Designated beneficiary” means a person designated to receive property in a transfer on death deed.
(3) “Joint owner” means an individual who owns property concurrently with one or more other individuals with a right of survivorship. The term “joint owner” includes a joint tenant and tenancy by the entirety. The term “joint owner” does not include a tenancy in common.
(4) “Person” means an individual, estate, business or nonprofit entity, public corporation, government or governmental subdivision, agency, or instrumentality, or any other legal entity.
(5) “Property” means an interest in real property located in the District of Columbia, which is transferable on the death of the owner.
(6) “Transfer on death deed” means a deed authorized under this subchapter.
(7) “Transferor” means an individual who makes a transfer on death deed.
This subchapter applies to a transfer on death deed made before, on, or after the effective date of this subchapter by a transferor dying on or after the effective date of this subchapter.
This subchapter does not affect any method of transferring property otherwise permitted under the law of the District of Columbia.
An individual may transfer property to one or more beneficiaries effective at the transferor’s death by a transfer on death deed.
A transfer on death deed is revocable under § 19-604.11 even if the deed or another instrument contains a contrary provision.
(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, a transfer on death deed shall contain the essential elements and formalities of a properly recordable inter vivos deed.
(b) A transfer on death deed shall state that the transfer to the designated beneficiary is to occur at the transferor’s death.
(c) A transfer on death deed shall be recorded before the transferor’s death in the Office of Recorder of Deeds.
(2) Is acknowledged by the transferor after the acknowledgment of the deed being revoked and recorded before the transferor’s death in the public records in the Office of the Recorder of Deeds.
(c) After a transfer on death deed is recorded, it may not be revoked by a revocatory act on the deed.
This section is referenced in § 19-604.06.
(1) Subject to paragraph (2) of this section, the interest in the property is transferred to the designated beneficiary in accordance with the deed.
(2) The interest of a designated beneficiary is contingent on the designated beneficiary surviving the transferor. The interest lapses if a designated beneficiary fails to survive the transferor.
(3) Subject to paragraph (4) of this section, concurrent interests are transferred to the beneficiaries in equal and undivided shares with no right of survivorship.
(4) If the transferor has identified 2 or more designated beneficiaries to receive concurrent interests in the property, the share of one which lapses or fails for any reason is transferred to the other, or to the others in proportion to the interest of each in the remaining part of the property held concurrently.
(b) A beneficiary takes the property subject to all conveyances, encumbrances, assignments, contracts, mortgages, liens, and other interests to which the property is subject at the transferor’s death. For purposes of this subsection, the recording of the transfer on death deed is deemed to have occurred at the transferor’s death.
(c) If a transferor is a joint owner and is survived by one or more other joint owners, the property that is the subject of a transfer on death deed belongs to the surviving joint owner or owners with right of survivorship.
(d) If a transferor is a joint owner and is the last surviving joint owner, the transfer-on death-deed is effective.
(e) A transfer on death deed transfers property without covenant or warranty of title even if the deed contains a contrary provision.
A beneficiary may disclaim all or part of the beneficiary’s interest as provided by Chapter 15 of this title.
A beneficiary of a transfer on death deed is liable for an allowed claim against the transferor’s probate estate and statutory allowances to a surviving spouse and children to the extent provided in § 19-601.02.
You should carefully read all information on the other side of this form. You May Want to Consult a Lawyer Before Using This Form.
This form must be recorded before your death, or it will not be effective.
I designate the following beneficiary if the beneficiary survives me.
If my primary beneficiary does not survive me, I designate the following alternate beneficiary if that beneficiary survives me.
At my death, I transfer my interest in the described property to the beneficiaries as designated above.
Before my death, I have the right to revoke this deed.
What does the Transfer on Death (“TOD”) deed do? When you die, this deed transfers the described property, subject to any liens or mortgages (or other encumbrances) on the property at your death. Probate is not required. The TOD deed has no effect until you die. You can revoke it at any time. You are also free to transfer the property to someone else during your lifetime. If you do not own any interest in the property when you die, this deed will have no effect.
How do I make a TOD deed? Complete this form. Have it acknowledged before a notary public or other individual authorized by law to take acknowledgments. The form has no effect unless it is acknowledged and recorded before your death.
Is the “legal description” of the property necessary? Yes.
How do I find the “legal description” of the property? This information may be on the deed you received when you became an owner of the property. This information may also be available in the Office of the Recorder of Deeds. If you are not absolutely sure, consult a lawyer.
Can I change my mind before I record the TOD deed? Yes. If you have not yet recorded the deed and want to change your mind, simply tear up or otherwise destroy the deed.
How do I “record” the TOD deed? Take the completed and acknowledged form to the Office of the Recorder of Deeds. Follow the instructions given by the Recorder of Deeds to make the form part of the official property records.
Can I later revoke the TOD deed if I change my mind? Yes. You can revoke the TOD deed. No one, including the beneficiaries, can prevent you from revoking the deed.
How do I revoke the TOD deed after it is recorded? There are three ways to revoke a recorded TOD deed: (1) Complete and acknowledge a revocation form, and record it in the Office of the Recorder of Deeds; (2) Complete and acknowledge a new TOD deed that disposes of the same property, and record it in the Office of the Recorder of Deeds; or (3) Transfer the property to someone else during your lifetime by a recorded deed that expressly revokes the TOD deed. You may not revoke the TOD deed by will.
I am being pressured to complete this form. What should I do? Do not complete this form under pressure. Seek help from a trusted family member, friend, or lawyer.
Do I need to tell the beneficiaries about the TOD deed? No, but it is recommended. Secrecy can cause later complications and might make it easier for others to commit fraud.
I have other questions about this form. What should I do? This form is designed to fit some but not all situations. If you have other questions, you are encouraged to consult a lawyer.
The following form may be used to create an instrument of revocation under this subchapter. The other sections of this subchapter govern the effect of this or any other instrument used to revoke a transfer on death deed.
This revocation must be recorded before you die or it will not be effective. This revocation is effective only as to the interests in the property of owners who sign this revocation.
I revoke all my previous transfers of this property by transfer on death deed.
How do I use this form to revoke a Transfer on Death (“TOD”) deed? Complete this form. Have it acknowledged before a notary public or other individual authorized to take acknowledgments. Record the form in the public records in the Office of the Recorder of Deeds. The form must be acknowledged and recorded before your death or it has no effect.
How do I find the “legal description” of the property? This information may be on the TOD deed. It may also be available in the Office of the Recorder of Deeds. If you are not absolutely sure, consult a lawyer.
How do I “record” the form? Take the completed and acknowledged form to the Office of the Recorder of Deeds. Follow the instructions given by the Recorder of Deeds to make the form part of the official property records.
I have other questions about this form. What should I do? This form is designed to fit some but not all situations. If you have other questions, consult a lawyer.
This subchapter modifies, limits, or supersedes the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, approved June 30, 2000 (114 Stat. 464; 15 U.S.C. § 7001 et seq.) (“Electronic Signatures Act”), but does not modify, limit, or supersede section 101(c) of the Electronic Signatures Act, or authorize electronic delivery of any of the notices described in section 103(b) of the Electronic Signatures Act.

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