If the real property is titled as joint tenants with the right of survivorship and one owner dies, their interest automatically passes to the Survivor. All you need to do is to record a death certificate in the land records to show the other joint tenant is deceased. As for the car, you should call the Department of Motor Vehicles in your state to determine what their policy is when a joint owner dies.
If both names are on the deed, then both signatures are required. If the spouse has signed a quit claim deed to the home, then the other does not need consent.
Then the house needs to be sold.
If the co-owner is agreeable or the house is titled in a way which allows the property to be transferred without the consent of other owners then it can be done using a quitclaim deed a simple and inexpensive procedure.
If the judgment names only one spouse as the judgment debtor it will not be entered on the non judgment spouse's credit report.
Yes, and they frequently are as in the case of the standard husband and wife will, where each spouse leaves the entire estate to the other spouse and names that spouse the executor.
No, the house is in the name of the one spouse. Which is why you MUST make sure you put both names on a deed.
a big house
Normally the spouse inherits the house. By law in Michigan a married couple should own the property as Tenants by the Entirety, which means that it transfers upon the death of the other spouse. Check the deed to insure that is so.
Depends who's name is on the mortgage. If both names are on, then you would need both spouse's to take out a home equity line of credit.
If a house is owned jointly by both spouses, it typically passes to the surviving spouse upon the death of one partner, depending on the type of ownership (like joint tenancy with right of survivorship). If the deceased spouse had a will, the house could be addressed there, but generally, the joint ownership would prevail. If there are debts or other complications, it's advisable to consult with a legal professional to navigate the estate and property transfer.
Then go to the court house!
Whomever claims the other spouse would claim the house.