The Short Answer

In Florida, adding a co-owner by quitclaim deed generally requires a deed that meets Florida’s statutory form requirements and is then recorded in the county where the property is located. Because a quitclaim deed can change ownership rights (including survivorship and potential probate outcomes) and may create title or homestead issues, it’s smart to have an attorney review the plan before anything is signed or recorded.

What Florida Law Says

Florida law provides a prescribed form and minimum content requirements for quitclaim deeds. At a high level, the deed should clearly identify the grantor and grantee, state the consideration, and include a proper legal description of the property so the public records accurately reflect the ownership change.

The Statute

The primary law governing this issue is Fla. Stat. § 689.025.

This statute establishes that a quitclaim deed must be in substantially the statutory form and must include a legible legal description of the property, plus space for the parcel identification number (if available) before recording.

Why You Should Speak with an Attorney

While the statute provides the general rule, applying it to your specific situation is rarely simple. Legal outcomes often depend on:

• Strict Deadlines: If the transfer is connected to an estate situation (for example, heirs signing a deed), Florida has time-sensitive title consequences—certain claims can be barred after a set period following recording in some circumstances. See, e.g., the 7-year limitation tied to recording in Fla. Stat. § 95.22.
• Burden of Proof: If the deed is later challenged (undue influence, lack of capacity, or disputes among family members), the paperwork and surrounding facts matter—especially when the deed changes who inherits the property or whether it avoids probate.
• Exceptions: Adding a co-owner can unintentionally trigger homestead/spousal-right concerns or create the “wrong” kind of co-ownership for your goals (for example, survivorship vs. tenancy in common), which can affect probate and creditor exposure.

Trying to handle this alone can lead to recording a deed that doesn’t accomplish what you intended—or worse, creates a cloud on title that later requires litigation to fix.

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Disclaimer: This article provides general information under Florida law and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws change frequently. For legal advice specific to your situation, please consult with a licensed attorney.