{"id":1876,"date":"2020-10-16T23:40:06","date_gmt":"2020-10-16T23:40:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.jacksonwhitelaw.com\/arizona-estate-planning\/?p=1876"},"modified":"2024-01-04T00:46:04","modified_gmt":"2024-01-04T00:46:04","slug":"leave-house-in-will","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.jacksonwhitelaw.com\/arizona-estate-planning\/blog\/leave-house-in-will\/","title":{"rendered":"Can I Leave My House to Someone in My Will?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Introduction<\/h2>\n

The odds are that your house is the most valuable asset you own, so naturally you want to ensure it ends up in the right hands after you\u2019re gone. If you\u2019re married, you probably want your house to pass to your spouse in the event that they outlive you.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re unmarried, you may want your home to go to a child or other relative. With proper estate planning, you can ensure that your wishes will be met after you die. However, it can be tough to know the best way of leaving your house to your beneficiaries.<\/p>\n

How Wills Work in Arizona<\/h2>\n

Because Arizona is a community property state, most assets belong to both spouses equally. However, that doesn\u2019t mean it\u2019s always easy to pass real estate and other property on to a spouse or other loved one after death. In fact, careful estate planning is crucial to minimize time delays and ensure your beneficiaries receive houses and other property without delay.<\/p>\n

The most common legal vehicles for transferring assets, wills allow individuals to control where property goes when they\u2019re no longer around. Individuals can rest easy knowing that their loved ones will be protected after they\u2019re gone. Additionally, creating a will provides beneficiaries with a sense of safety and security.<\/p>\n

On the other hand, individuals who die intestate, or without a will, may cause negative consequences for their families. If you don\u2019t have a will at the time of your passing, the State will hold all your property and assets until they can go through probate. As a result, loved ones may not have access to money and other assets they need. Additionally, relatives will likely have to deal with invasive, lengthy court proceedings while they\u2019re trying to grieve. By creating a will, you can avoid some of these outcomes and ensure your final wishes are carried out.<\/p>\n

What Happens to Your Home if You Die Without a Will<\/h2>\n

Dying without a will can also cause problems for those who want to pass a house on to beneficiaries. If someone dies intestate, Arizona will distribute their property to legal heirs in accordance with the state\u2019s intestacy laws. Unfortunately, these distributions may not match up with the decedent\u2019s wishes or the needs of their family. According to Arizona law, the following order is used to determine intestate succession:<\/p>\n