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Children usually acquire an interest only by inheritance.

You can execute a deed that transfers your property to your minor child, however, it's not a good idea. Adding a child's name would actually complicate the title to the property and could result in legal costs down the road. A problem would arise if the property must be sold or if you decide to take the child's name "off" the property. At that time you will encounter legal difficulties.

Generally, if the property must be sold, a guardian would have to be appointed by a court to sell the property for the minor. Remember that the property will be considered the child's property. The guardian will need to obtain a licensefrom the court. The court will require the appointment of a 'guardian ad litem' who would need to review the proposed sale and report back to the court whether it is in the best interest of the child. All those appointees would need to be paid for their services. There would be court costs and attorney's fees if you need to hire an attorney. After the sale, the court would require that the proceeds be supervised on behalf of the child until they reach the age of eighteen.

In some states, a child can refuse the property when she comes of age and the conveyance could be voided. That might cause other problems.

If nothing will be done with the property until the child becomes an adult, and it's a friendly conveyance (not one carried out to defraud or to purposely encumber the title), then there is no prohibition against it in Massachusetts. However, if the conveyance is done to avoid creditors the court can void the conveyance and the creditors can seize the property.

There is one more factor to consider. Once the child becomes eighteen, they will be able to manage the property on their own and the relationship may not be so friendly. They may refuse to convey the property back unless they receive compensation. Also, the property will become vulnerable to their creditors.

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13y ago

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