When a joint owner of real estate dies, his or her interest in the property passes instantly to the surviving owner or owners. Before the property can be sold or mortgaged, evidence of the death must be recorded in either the registry of deeds or probate court.
I have been divorced for decades. My ex-wife (divorced decades ago and recently decessed jointly owned a lot of land in Massachusetts)
I have arranged to sell the property and I have payed the property taxes on the property since her death and since 2022 the year of her death.
I presented a death certificate to the registry of deeds and her name was deleted as part owner with my name only on the deed.
Am I the sole owner?
Thank you for any information you can share.
Jon Beard