This stuff sure is confusing, to say the least.. He was not named at TOD beneficiary on the title.. But he was named in the will. I guess it all comes down to the fact of how the wording of "and" or "or" is used on title. I have another question.. We also had some assets with the wording of "and/or" between our names on the registration papers for some fairly valuable assets that are not vehicles...they are breeding livestock. If the will leaves 1/2 of community assets to him, how will title to these affect the ownership upon death? Is it assumed that these are "jointly owned" or "tenants in common" ownership? I have been doing research on California presumption and sometimes it says that "joint tenants" is presumed and some say "tenants in common is presumed". Are there any statutes to show ownership is "joint" in these circumstance? All of these assets were bought while we were married, except for one. The one that was owned by her was put into both our names right before we were married. Does that also constitute a transmutation thanks again!