Denise inherited her mother's Flint home following her passing. Unlike most inherited property situations, her mother had executed a Michigan Transfer on Death Deed 5 years earlier, naming Denise as the sole beneficiary. The home needed significant updating — roof, windows, kitchen — but Denise, living in Grand Rapids, had no interest in managing a renovation.
Denise wasn't aware of the TOD deed initially and thought she would need to go through probate (she had an appointment with a probate attorney). When the deed was discovered during a title search initiated by 7 Lakes Properties, the process simplified dramatically.
Once the TOD deed was confirmed, Denise filed an Affidavit of Surviving Beneficiary with the Genesee County Register of Deeds — a simple, inexpensive document. This transferred title directly to Denise without any probate court involvement. 7 Lakes Properties then closed on the property within 30 days of Denise's initial contact.
Denise received $61,000 — all to her directly, no attorney costs for probate administration. Total out-of-pocket costs to establish her title: $185 in county recording fees and notary costs. Without the TOD deed, probate would have taken 5-8 months and cost $3,000-5,000 in attorney fees.
"I didn't even know what a Transfer on Death Deed was. 7 Lakes Properties's process discovered it and saved me months of probate. Incredible."— Denise F., Flint MI
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