By Matthew A. Quick If real estate is owned jointly (joint tenancy, tenancy by the entirety (husband and wife)) and one of the joint owners dies, a Deceased Joint Tenant Affidavit, along with the decedent's Death Certificate, is required to be filed with the recorder in the county in which the real estate lies in order to transfer the real estate.
The Deceased Joint Tenant Affidavit ("affidavit") is a written, sworn statement that the decedent has passed and was the joint owner of the real estate. The affidavit must be completed by a person who was acquainted with the decedent (not necessarily an owner of the property), contain certain information, and be signed and notarized.