Divorce is tough enough without the added stress of sorting out property ownership. If your divorce decree awarded you the house but your ex-husband’s name is still on the deed, you’re not alone. Here’s a simple, step-by-step guide to removing your ex-husband from your deed and securing your property in your name alone in Perry County.
Step 1: Verify Ownership and Your Divorce Agreement
First, confirm that your ex-husband is officially listed on the deed. You can obtain a copy of your document from the Perry County Recorder of Deeds Office in New Bloomfield or search public land records via the county’s public CAMA/parcel viewer website.
Next, review your divorce decree to ensure it explicitly awards you the property. Look for language like, “The home at [address] is granted to [your name].” If the phrasing is vague, you might need legal clarification before recording—we can steer you toward the right resources.
Step 2: Use a Quitclaim Deed
In Pennsylvania, the easiest way to remove someone from a deed after a divorce is by Deed, sometimes called a Quitclaim Deed. This is a standard legal form where your ex-husband “quits” his claim to the property and transfers his entire interest over to you. It may be beneficial, depending on your circumstances to do a conveyance Deed and we can help with both.
Our team at Capstone Land Transfer can provide a customized form to ensure it meets strict Pennsylvania drafting standards.
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Step 3: Get His Signature
We can assist with filling out the appropriate Deed with the following mandatory information:
- Your ex-husband listed as the “grantor” (the one giving up his rights).
- Yourself listed as the “grantee” (the new sole owner).
- The property’s exact legal description (this must be copied verbatim from your current deed—the street address alone is not enough).
- A clear cross-reference to your divorce, such as “Per Divorce Decree, Case No. [insert number].”
Your ex-husband must sign the deed in front of a notary public. Local banks, UPS stores, or our office can handle this. If he’s cooperative, this step is smooth. If not, don’t panic—we’ve outlined your legal options below.
Step 4: Notarize and Prep for Recording
Once signed, the deed needs notarization.
The Good News: Divorce-related property transfers are 100% exempt from the standard 2% Realty Transfer Tax in Pennsylvania. To claim this exemption properly, you must note “ex-spouse transfer pursuant to divorce decree” on the Statement of Value form and/or on the Deed itself. Capstone can review your paperwork to ensure it’s flawless for the Perry County courthouse.
Step 5: Record the Deed
Take your notarized Quitclaim Deed to the Perry County Recorder of Deeds Office, located at 2 East Main Street (P.O. Box 223), New Bloomfield, PA 17068.
- The UPI Requirement: Perry County strictly requires your Uniform Parcel Identifier (UPI) number to be typed at the top left of the first page of the deed.
- Recording Fees: The base recording fee for a deed in Perry County is $69.75 (which covers up to 4 pages and 4 names). Each additional page costs $2.00, and each additional name costs $0.50. There is also a $20.00 UPI Certification Fee per parcel number, and a $1.00 fee for the Statement of Value.
- Payment Warning: Plan your trip carefully: the county does not conduct any monetary transactions after 4:00 p.m. due to end-of-day closeout procedures. You can submit your documents in person or by mail (include a self-addressed, stamped envelope for the deed’s return).
What If He Won’t Sign?
If your ex-spouse refuses to cooperate, you aren’t stuck. You can file a formal motion with the Perry County Court of Common Pleas to enforce your divorce decree. A judge can legally order him to sign or issue a direct court order transferring the property to your name alone. It is an extra step, but it is entirely manageable—and we have legal networks at Capstone Land Transfer to help guide you!
Final Steps: Tie Up Loose Ends
After recording, request a copy of the updated deed to verify everything is properly filed in the county registry. Keep in mind that modifying a property deed does not remove someone from a mortgage. If you are both on the original home loan, your next step will likely be refinancing the mortgage into your name alone. We can help guide you through that conversation with your lender.
Why It Matters — and How We Can Help
Recording the new deed secures your sole ownership and prevents major title defects or estate planning disputes down the road. Whether you need a new deed drafted, a quick notary, or a team to handle the county submission process from start to finish, we are here to make it easy and stress-free.
Contact Capstone Land Transfer today for personalized, local support!
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