Title Change Without Triggering Tax Reassessment

[Scott Newton]

I have an opportunity to co-sign on a home refinance loan and in return, take 50% equity in a SFR in California. Currently, the Title is in the name of the current homeowner, who is having difficulty making her current payments under her existing loans (Primary Mortgage and HELOC). Homeowner has limited income to qualify for a refinance on her own. The idea is; I assume part of the risk in guaranteeing the loan, in exchange for equity in the property.

Question: is there a creative and successful way of re-titling the property using a similar name or trust as the homeowner, WITHOUT a property tax reassessment? The home has appreciated significantly and we would hate to burden the homeowner with higher property taxes.

Property is in L.A. County.

[Christopher Janney]

I am not a CPA or attorney.  Is the house currently in a trust?  is the trust revocable or irrevocable? If there is a trust in place, you could look at changing the beneficiary and portions there of. If not in a trust, see what CA thinks of changing the person on title to a trust.  The banks don't and actually *can't* care about changing title to a trust.