Deed
A deed is a legal document used to transfer ownership of property from one person to another.
It's a written contract between the current property owner, known as the Grantor, and the person who is receiving the property, known as the Grantee.
The deed typically includes a description of the property being transferred, the names of the grantor and grantee, the purchase price (if any), and any conditions or restrictions on the transfer.
After a person's death, a deed can be used to transfer ownership to Surviving Family, Heirs or other Beneficiaries.
This typically occurs during the Probate process, which is the legal process of administering a deceased person's Estate to distribute any remaining Assets.
Regardless if the property is required to go through probate, the deed will need to be signed by the Executor of the Estate, Notarized, and recorded in the public records in the county where the property is located.
This ensures that the transfer of ownership is properly documented and legally recognized.
Note: this is in contrast to a Title, which is a legal document that shows ownership of a property. Titles are transferred by deeds.