Do I have to contribute to the cost of a broken electric garage door at a house that my brother and I inherited but that only he lives in with his family?

Do I have to contribute to the cost of a broken electric garage door at a house that my brother and I inherited but that only he lives in with his family?

My brother lives in our inherited house with his own family; he has for years. He pays me to rent my half to him. He said the electric garage door is broken and got an estimate to have it fixed. I think it is too expensive and don’t want to help pay for the door since I am not living there and using it. Before my dad passed away, my brother also took out a loan on the house for $250,000 and it won’t be paid off for 30 years. My dad did sign on the top line and my brother on the second. I am not included in the loan but as half owner of the home it does affect me. Should I pay half of the door cost?

Asked on December 29, 2012 under Real Estate Law, California

Answers:

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