How to Sign and Return Your Beneficiary Deed

Your Beneficiary Deed helps ensure that your real estate transfers smoothly to your chosen beneficiary without going through probate. To make it effective, it must be signed and properly recorded with the county.

Follow the instructions below carefully to complete and return your deed.

✅ Step 1: Review Your Deed

Please read over the Beneficiary Deed(s) carefully. Make sure:

  • Your name and property address are correct
  • The legal description matches your records
  • The beneficiary is listed exactly as you intend

If anything looks off, contact us before signing.

✍️ Step 2: Sign and Date

Once everything looks correct:

  • Sign and date each Beneficiary Deed in front of a notary
  • No witnesses are required

📤 Step 3: Scan and Send

After signing, clearly scan the full document and email it back to us so we can record it with the appropriate county. (See “How to Scan Your Deed” below for instructions.)

‼️ Important: Even if signed, the deed has no effect unless it is officially recorded with the county.

📱 How to Scan Your Deed

You can use your phone or any scanning app you prefer. Here are three easy options:

Using iPhone (Notes App):

  1. Open Notes and select a note or create a new one.
  2. Tap the Camera button Tap Camera button to start scanning a document in Notes, then tap Scan Documents Scan document icon.
  3. Place your document in view of the camera.
  4. If your device is in Auto mode, the document will scan automatically. If you need to capture a scan manually, tap the Shutter button tap the Shutter button to scan or press one of the Volume buttons. Then drag the corners to adjust the scan to fit the page, then tap Keep Scan.
  5. Tap Save or add additional scans to the document.

Using Android (Google Drive):

  1. Open the Google Drive app
  2. Tap the + (plus) button in the lower-right corner, then select Scan
  3. Line up the document in the viewfinder, ensure all four corners are visible and your view is mostly level, and press the shutter button
  4. Review and save as PDF

Using TurboScan (iOS or Android):

  1. Download the TurboScan App.
  2. After you launch the app, click the camera icon in the bottom-left corner to start scanning.
  3. Center the page you want to scan, then click the large white button at the bottom to scan it.
  4. Adjust framing and contrast as needed. If the camera didn’t frame the shot well, you’ll need to reset the borders. Click the word “Frame” in the top-left to make adjustments. Move the red dots until they’re perfectly framed.
  5. Tap Done, then Next
  6. Tap the share button to email the PDF

Can I Update or Revoke My Beneficiary Deed Later?

Yes, you can change or revoke a Beneficiary Deed at any time. If you want to do so, please consider contacting an attorney first to ensure changes are made properly.

If you have questions at any point, feel free to contact us. We’re here to help!