Title companies are unromantic about probate. They want documents, dated correctly, signed correctly, and matching the deed. Most failures at the closing table are not surprises — they are documents the title company asked for that nobody chased down. Here is the working checklist.
- Your court-issued authority to act for the estate — the name varies by state, and it is not always called "letters"; some courts issue a certificate of appointment or of qualification instead — current, or certified to whatever date the title company asks for
- Original death certificate (some title companies accept certified copy)
- Recorded deed showing the deceased's ownership
- Marital status documentation if the home was owned jointly — joint tenancy, or tenancy by the entirety in the states that recognize it
- Tax search showing no unpaid property taxes
- No open liens, judgments, or recorded claims against the deceased
- Personal representative's deed prepared and reviewed by title in advance
Send these to title four weeks before closing, not at signing. Most issues take time to cure; almost none are unfixable with notice.
Important
This article is for general information only and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Specific situations require specific advice.
This article was drafted by an AI model and has not been reviewed or approved by a licensed professional. It may contain errors. Treat it as a starting point, and check anything that matters against a professional licensed in your state.
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