Transfer at Death & By Occupancy

Title passes at death by WILL (testate — real property passes by devise to devisees) or by DESCENT (intestate — state law distributes to heirs). If there are no heirs and no will, property ESCHEATS to the state. Probate is the court process that proves the will and clears title. Living trusts move property outside probate: the grantor deeds property to the trust, and the successor trustee transfers it at death. Remember the special deaths: a joint tenant's share never probates (survivorship), and a life estate simply ends. Dedication is a voluntary gift of private land for public use (streets in a new subdivision).