Owner's Spouse Passed Away

[H J.]

Hello,

Got first wholesale contract. Found a buyer. But title attorney has found that owner had deeded title to himself and his wife in 2000. She died some years later and did not leave a will; also no probate was done.

What happens now?

Given that the property was deeded to both their names, doesn’t her share automatically go to him upon her passing? I am surprised that he still has to go through probate. Buyer says that that process can take 6 months. Anyone have this problem before?

Thanks for your time.

Hassan Jeng