We have clients who want to gift to their ownership in New Jersey Real Estate. These clients want to complete their gift in 2022. It is our practice that when clients gift property, we have them sign a deed which is then notarized. Sometimes, a deed transferring title to the property is signed prior to December 31st but doesn’t get to the County Clerk for recording until January 1st of the following year. The question raised is whether the gift has been made in 2022 or 2023 for NJ and federal estate tax exemption purposes.
A gift normally occurs when the donor parts with dominion and control, meaning ownership. My position is that a gift doesn’t occur until the gifted property is delivered to the possession of the person receiving the gift. In the case of a real estate deed, this means that the gift is made when the owner hands over the deed to the donee. Therefore, if the deed is signed, mailed and received by the donee or the county clerk by 12/31/22, the gift occurs in 2022, but if not, then the gift is in 2023.
A completed gift requires acceptance. If a deed is signed by the grantor, a donee can sign a gift letter acknowledging receipt of the gift and add a notation at the end of the deed accepting the gift with his/her signature. I would also promptly record the deed with the date of deed matching date of gift.
If having anything notarized in a foreign country then the “notary” can be done at a US embassy in the foreign country or if that country is part of The Hague Convention it can be done with an Apostile Certificate. Not sure if having it done at US Embassy still requires the Apostile or not. The US Embassy can certainly do the Apostile if needed.
Contact me personally today to discuss your New Jersey estate planning matter. I am easy to talk to, very approachable and can offer you practical, legal ways to handle your concerns. You can reach me toll-free at (855) 376-5291 or email me at fniemann@hnlawfirm.com. Please ask us about our video conferencing or telephone consultations if you are unable to come to our office.
By Fredrick P. Niemann, Esq. of Hanlon Niemann & Wright, a Freehold Township, Monmouth County, NJ Business/Commercial Law Attorney