Short answer
Usually yes, but the steps depend on how the deed was written. If the deed made you the automatic owner at your spouse's death, you may only need to record proof of death. If your spouse owned a share that passes through the estate, you may need letters from the Register of Wills first.
Read the deed first
The wording of the deed decides what happens when one owner dies. Some deeds give the survivor full ownership. Others leave the dead spouse's share to pass through the estate and a will or state law. Pennsylvania's Department of Revenue notes that property owned jointly between spouses is exempt from inheritance tax. Still, only the deed itself tells you. A real estate attorney or title company can read it for you.
If the estate has to be opened
If the house, or a share of it, is in the deceased spouse's name alone, the personal representative signs for the estate's interest. In Philadelphia that means a visit to the Register of Wills at City Hall, Room 180, with the original death certificate, an estimate of the estate's value and a current ID. With a will, you also bring the original will. The office phone is (215) 686-6255. Grief and paperwork do not mix well. If you can, ask a relative or friend to help you keep track of the documents, and ask an attorney to handle the filings. You do not have to finish everything in the first week. Still, keep one date in view: the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue says inheritance tax becomes delinquent nine months after death, and property owned jointly between spouses is exempt from it. An attorney can tell you whether any tax applies to the share that did not pass to you automatically.
Tax point for a surviving spouse
IRS Publication 523 says a surviving spouse who has not remarried may be able to use the $500,000 home sale exclusion when selling within 2 years of the spouse's death, if the other conditions are met. After that, the exclusion is generally $250,000 for a single filer. A tax professional can check your facts. The sale date can matter, so factor it in.
What the title company will likely ask for
Ask the title company what it needs from you. Expect it to want a copy of the deed, a certified death certificate and, if the estate holds an interest, the letters from the Register of Wills. If the house was in joint names, the company may have its own list of papers to show that you now hold the whole. Order a title search to see liens. If your spouse had debts, ask the attorney whether any could attach to the house. Keep records of mortgage payments and the date of death, since they matter for taxes. Ask early, because missing papers delay many closings.
Selling the house
If you are ready to sell, Kaizen Home Buyers buys houses as-is for cash, with no repairs and no agent commission. We make an offer within 24 hours and can close in 14 to 30 days or on your date. Call 267-329-0084. We understand this is a hard time to deal with paperwork. A listing with an agent is also reasonable if the house is in good shape and you have time.