Shortcut on transfer deed holds peril

Regarding “Inherit a Home -- Not a Hassle,” Nov. 4, on a proposed change in the law in which a notarized signature on a form transfers real estate on death without the formalities of probate: Do we really want a system in which children and grandchildren learn that the family homestead has been given to a stranger without their knowledge and without witnesses or any of the other legal protections probate law provides?

Under the proposed legislation described in the article, the signatory of such a deed would be dead and could not be questioned about whether there was undue influence or even force that brought about the signature.

TOD deeds might ease the burden for some families, but for others they would provide an opening for thieves to grab assets from the rightful heirs.

Alan Bloom

Manhattan Beach