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52 °F Forecast | Road Cams Sunday, April 4, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find a Rental Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Email Story to a Friend March 18, 2004 Since you asked Co-owner can skip probate My daughter’s name is jointly on all of my assets, including the deed to my house, the title to my car and all of my bank accounts. My question is: When I die, will she be required to go through probate if we don’t have a living trust? Thank you. — Zelda J., Central Point In this case, the short answer is no, your daughter will not have to go through probate, said Mark Schiveley, presiding judge for Jackson County Circuit Court. However, it never hurts to seek additional legal advice, he added. In general, holding a piece of property in joint ownership with the right to survivorship avoids the need for a trust, Schiveley said. Upon one owner’s death, the title automatically goes to the surviving owner. While this is a commonplace process for property owned by married couples, it makes no difference that the surviving owner happens to be your daughter, Schiveley said. If someone else wanted to contest her ownership, it would be very difficult to do after your death, he added. Probate cases that do come before the court — about 500 to 600 each year in Jackson County — are usually resolved within a year, Schiveley said. Those cases include not only estates, but also conservatorships and guardianships. About two-thirds of these cases involve a will written previously by the deceased. Approximately one- third do not, Schiveley said. Send questions to "Since You Asked," Mail Tribune Newsroom, P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501; by fax to 541-776-4376; or by e-mail to [email protected] . We’re sorry, but the volume of questions received prevents us from answering all of them. Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback 3 WEEKS FREE! ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S RESOURCES Oregon Road Conditions & Cams SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Food for Thought Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities Prime Times