Common reasons for property transfers

Following a death

If a property owner has passed away, the steps required depend on how the property was owned - either as joint tenants or tenants in common.

We will

Review the ownership structure
Advise on the correct legal process
Work with our in-house Probate and Trusts team to support you and your family during this difficult time

After separation or divorce

If you’re transferring a property into one person’s name, it’s important to get the right legal advice - especially if the transfer is part of a financial settlement.

We will

Work closely with our Family Law team to protect your interests
Advise on Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) implications
Liaise with mortgage lenders and manage third-party involvement

Adding a joint owner

You may wish to add a partner or family member to your property title. We’ll help you understand:

The difference between joint tenants and tenants in common
Potential implications for bankruptcy, care fees, and inheritance
Whether Stamp Duty Land Tax applies

We’ll also liaise with your mortgage lender and ensure the process is handled efficiently.

Transferring property to children

As part of your estate planning, you may wish to transfer your property to your children. This can be a complex decision, with implications for:

Inheritance Tax
Care home fees
Future claims or disputes

Why Choose Porter Dodson?

Specialist legal support for all types of mortgage and remortgage transactions

Clear communication and practical advice throughout

Joined-up service if your remortgage involves a transfer of ownership

Local knowledge, national reach – with offices across Somerset, Dorset and Devon, and remote support available wherever you are

Reena and Beckie communicated promptly and effectively with both the progress and problems during the house sale, enabling the process to keep moving. The sale proceeded in a timely and organised manner. A highly professional team. Thank you both.

Mercer

Porter Dodson Solicitors have been a great help to us for the past 12 years. We have recently been very lucky to have Reena Raval from the Sherborne branch helping us with a property. Reena kept us updated at every step, explained everything very clearly with great communication and made the whole process feel completely manageable for us to understand. Reena dealt with our paperwork very swiftly and kept us updated with clear costings. Highly recommended!

Residential Client

Solicitor Reena Raval handled a house sale for us with exemplary efficiency and care, keeping us informed at every stage, and answering our questions clearly and with good humour. Our thanks to her, to her paralegal Beckie Old and to all the team. We strongly recommend Porter Dodson for conveyancing and other legal services.

David

When we had to sell my late mums home, Jenny and Emma walked me through buying and selling. Couldn't have asked for better help, would highly recommend the firm to anyone.

Stephen