The Short Answer

In Florida, your father can generally add a family member to title by signing a quitclaim deed that meets Florida’s statutory form requirements and then recording it in the county where the property is located. However, whether a quitclaim deed is the right tool depends on how the property is currently titled (for example, whether it is homestead, jointly owned, or subject to probate/estate issues), because a deed can create unintended tax, creditor, and inheritance consequences.

What Florida Law Says

A quitclaim deed transfers whatever ownership interest the grantor currently has—no more and no less. Florida law also requires specific content in the deed (including a legal description) for the instrument to be in proper statutory form and recordable. If the goal is to add someone to title for estate planning reasons, it’s important to confirm the current ownership, any homestead considerations, and whether the transfer could later be challenged or create title problems.

The Statute

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

This statute establishes a prescribed form for Florida quitclaim deeds and requires, among other things, that the deed include a legal description of the property and provide space for the parcel identification number.

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 a deed is used after an owner’s death (or by heirs/devisees) and later becomes disputed, Florida has a 7-year limitation period for certain claims after the conveyance is recorded, with important exceptions. See Fla. Stat. § 95.22.
• Burden of Proof: If someone later alleges the transfer was invalid (lack of capacity, undue influence, incorrect legal description, or missing required elements), proving a clean chain of title can become expensive and fact-intensive.
• Exceptions: Homestead and family-related ownership issues can limit or complicate transfers, and a deed that “seems simple” can still create clouds on title that require litigation (such as a quiet title action) to fix. See, for example, Fla. Stat. § 65.071 (quieting title in specific circumstances).

Trying to handle this alone can lead to recording rejections, unintended loss of homestead protections, future probate disputes among heirs, or a title defect that prevents refinancing or sale.

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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.