My husband wanted to leave the house to me but my name isn't on it

If your husband is still alive, the simplest fix is to add you to the deed now. A real estate attorney can prepare a new deed, either a quitclaim deed or a warranty deed, that adds you as a co-owner with right of survivorship. This is a straightforward process that costs a few hundred dollars in legal fees plus recording fees with the county. Once recorded, the property automatically transfers to you upon his passing without going through probate. If your husband has passed, the path depends on whether there's a will. If he had a will that names you as the beneficiary of the property, the will needs to go through probate. The court will validate the will and authorize the transfer of the property to you. Probate timelines vary by state but typically take a few months to over a year. If there's no will, the property passes according to your state's intestacy laws. In most states, the surviving spouse is the primary heir and inherits the home, but the process still goes through probate court. The court will appoint you as the personal representative of the estate and authorize the transfer. If there's a mortgage on the property, federal law protects surviving spouses. The Garn-St. Germain Act prevents lenders from calling a loan due when ownership transfers to a surviving spouse. The mortgage stays in place and you continue making the payments. If your husband is alive and wants to make sure you're protected, handle the deed now. It's one of the easiest estate planning steps you can take and it avoids the cost, time, and stress of probate entirely. While you're at it, consider meeting with an estate planning attorney to set up a will or trust that covers your other assets too.