Can I file a beneficiary deed if I have a mortgage?

Yes. A mortgage does not prevent you from recording a beneficiary deed. The deed transfers ownership at death, but it does not affect the mortgage — the lender's lien remains on the property. Your beneficiary will inherit the home subject to the existing mortgage.

What if I'm married — does my spouse need to sign?

In most cases, yes. Missouri is a tenancy by the entirety state, meaning married couples who own property together typically hold title as tenants by the entirety. Both spouses generally need to sign a beneficiary deed on property held this way. If held as tenants in common, each owner can generally convey their own interest independently.

Can I change or revoke a beneficiary deed after recording it?

Yes. A beneficiary deed is fully revocable at any time before the grantor's death. You can record a new deed naming different beneficiaries, or record a formal revocation instrument. You do not need the beneficiary's permission to revoke.

Can I name multiple beneficiaries on a beneficiary deed?

Yes. You can name multiple beneficiaries and specify what percentage each receives. You can also name alternate beneficiaries who inherit if a primary beneficiary dies before you. If you name multiple beneficiaries without specifying shares, they inherit equally.

Does a beneficiary deed need to be notarized in Missouri?

Yes. Missouri law requires the grantor's signature to be acknowledged before a notary public. Without proper notarization, the recorder's office will not accept the deed for recording.

Where do I record a beneficiary deed and what does it cost?

You record the deed at the recorder of deeds office in the county where the property is located. Recording fees in Missouri are typically $24 for the first page and $3–4 for each additional page.

What happens if the beneficiary dies before me?

It depends on the relationship and how the deed is written. Under RSMo §461.045, if the beneficiary is your lineal descendant and predeceases you, their share automatically passes to their own descendants per stirpes (LDPS) unless the deed says otherwise. For non-descendant beneficiaries, the share lapses by default unless the deed includes the LDPS designation. Naming contingent beneficiaries is another way to address this.

Does a beneficiary deed affect my property taxes?

No. Recording a beneficiary deed does not trigger a reassessment or change in property taxes during your lifetime. The deed has no effect until death.

Missouri Beneficiary Deed Requirements

Missouri beneficiary deeds must satisfy specific signing, notarization, recording, and ownership requirements to work correctly. The deed should clearly identify the current owner, the real estate, and the beneficiary who receives the property at death.

The legal description matters. A street address is usually not enough; the deed should use the property description from the current recorded deed. The grantor must sign in front of a notary public, and the notary acknowledgment must be acceptable for recording.

The deed must be recorded with the recorder of deeds in the Missouri county where the property is located before the owner dies. A deed that is signed but never recorded, or first recorded after death, generally will not accomplish the probate-avoidance transfer.

Ownership details can change what signatures are needed. Married owners, joint tenants, tenants in common, mortgages, multiple beneficiaries, contingent beneficiaries, and revocations all require careful attention to how the deed is written and recorded.

Benedeed walks through these common Missouri requirements in plain English for straightforward homeowner situations. It provides educational information and document preparation tools, not legal advice for unusual or complex title problems.