Deeds and Property Transfers in Southwestern Pennsylvania

Serving Fayette, Greene, Washington and Westmoreland Counties

Transferring real estate in Pennsylvania isn’t just paperwork — it’s a legal transaction that can affect your ownership rights, taxes, estate plan, and ability to sell or refinance later.

Our firm helps individuals, families, and property owners throughout Southwestern Pennsylvania with deed transfers and real estate title changes in:

• Fayette County
• Greene County
• Washington County
• Westmoreland County

Our Pennsylvania real estate attorneys focus on two things:

(1) Making sure you understand the legal and tax consequences before transferring property, and
(2) Completing the deed transfer quickly and correctly once you decide to move forward.

In many situations, deed transfers can be handled efficiently — and often for a flat fee.

Fast, Efficient Deed Transfers — With Legal Guidance Upfront

Many clients contact us because they want to:

• Add a spouse to a deed
• Transfer property to a child or family member
• Transfer property after divorce
• Move property into a trust
• Transfer property into an LLC
• Handle an inherited property transfer
• Correct deed or title issues

We can help with all of these — and we also make sure you understand the issues people often miss, including:

• Pennsylvania real estate transfer tax
• Gift and inheritance tax concerns
• Capital gains implications
• Mortgages and lender restrictions
• Existing liens, judgments, or municipal claims
• How the transfer affects your estate plan and heirs
• Title problems that can surface years later

Once the plan is clear, we prepare the deed, handle the required documents, and guide the recording process so the transfer is legally effective.

Types of Deeds in Pennsylvania

In Pennsylvania, real estate is transferred by deed—a written document signed by the current owner (the “grantor”) that transfers title to the new owner (the “grantee”).

The three deed types most commonly used in Southwestern Pennsylvania are:

Quitclaim Deed (Often Misspelled “Quick Claim Deed”)

A quitclaim deed transfers whatever interest the grantor may have in the property, but does not guarantee that:

• The grantor owns the property, or
• The title is free of defects

In plain terms: “I’m not promising I own this property — but if I do, it’s now yours.”

Quitclaim deeds are often used for:

• Family transfers
• Divorce-related transfers
• Adding or removing a spouse
• Transfers into trusts
• Correcting title issues

Because quitclaim deeds provide no warranty of title, it is important to understand when this deed is appropriate — and when it is not.

Special Warranty Deed

A special warranty deed provides limited protection. The grantor agrees to defend the title only against claims arising during the period the grantor owned the property.

General Warranty Deed

A general warranty deed provides the strongest protection. The grantor guarantees a valid title and agrees to defend it against any lawful claims by any person.

General warranty deeds are most common in traditional residential and commercial sales.

Tax and Title Issues That Should Be Reviewed Before You Transfer Property

Even when a deed transfer is intended to be simple, there may be major financial consequences depending on the situation.

Property transfers can involve:

• Pennsylvania real estate transfer tax
• Local transfer taxes
• Gift tax implications
• Pennsylvania inheritance tax
• Capital gains tax
• Cost basis changes
• Property tax reassessment concerns

Some transfers qualify for exemptions — but those exemptions must be documented correctly to avoid unexpected tax liability.

Mortgages, Liens and Judgments

A deed transfer does not automatically remove:

• Mortgages
• Liens
• Judgments
• Municipal claims
• Easements or restrictions

In many cases, the new owner takes the property subject to these issues unless they are resolved prior to transfer. Some transfers may also violate mortgage terms if lender consent is required.

Why Clients Choose Our Real Estate Attorneys for Deed Transfers in Southwestern PA

Clients come to us because they want a deed transfer that is:

✅ Done correctly
✅ Explained clearly
✅ Completed quickly once decided
✅ Handled efficiently (often for a flat fee)

Online deed templates and “quick fixes” often create expensive problems later — especially when the property is sold, refinanced, or passed to heirs.

We help you avoid those issues by handling the transfer properly from the start.

Serving Southwestern Pennsylvania Counties

We proudly assist clients throughout:

• Fayette County (Uniontown, Connellsville, Brownsville, Masontown, Farmington, Perryopolis)
• Greene County (Waynesburg, Carmichaels, Jefferson, Mount Morris and surrounding communities)
• Washington County (Washington, Canonsburg, Peters Township)
• Westmoreland County (Greensburg, Latrobe, Monessen, Murrysville, Belle Vernon, Mount Pleasant)

Ready to Transfer Property? Let Our Pennsylvania Real Estate Attorneys Get It Done

If you are considering a deed transfer, we can help you understand your options, avoid unintended tax consequences, and complete the transfer properly. Contact us today for immediate assistance.