You can read the local obituary column in your local paper, and compare the names to the property ownership records at the tax assessor's site, or the same work is done for you by [email protected], which is the service I use. 

Coincidently I was just reading an article on Bloomberg about ownership rate for older households (80% which is 2x other groups).  

All decisions are equal and ownership is based on equity paid in and we are both 50%, makes it really easy.The second partnership is with a group for tax liens.  

Anything to add protection and slow down a legal attack.Alot depends on the state, in SC a single member LLC is treated as a sole proprietorship and not granted the legal protections of a LLC, but a multi-member LLC (ownership percentage is not dictated) are granted full protections.This is why I said go talk to lawyer.  

Equity being your ownership and debt being the limit claim on your asset.  

I've thought about constructing one entity and selling ownership in it proportional to the percentage / amount any one or each ‘partner’ desires to participate in the deal.

Let us not forget that real property ownership as well as homestead registration are both involved with BK cases.  

Once I have a sense of retail value, I can decide what I'm willing to pay, especially if I want to find a bargain.As with any real estate, someone has to have the ability to transfer (pass) title ownership.

I found the BiggerPockets site while researching decision-making practices used by RE investors.I’m a part of an exciting startup, dedicated to making nationwide property & ownership data accessible to everyone on their mobile devices. 

Also you want to ask permission if you can ask them some questions about their house if they've already confirmed ownership and given you a response about whether or not they would consider a cash offer (even if they said no).