What to doif a co-owner of real estate passes away?
Get Legal Help Today
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
What to doif a co-owner of real estate passes away?
My girlfriend of 19 years owns a home with her father. He past away 9 months ago. She has not yet informed the mortgage company but we have an even bigger problem. She has stage 4 colon cancer and will probably only live another year or so. Should we refinance the house and make it so the house is paid off when she passes? This way I will still have a home to live in and take care of her son. What are our options?
Asked on March 9, 2011 under Real Estate Law, California
Answers:
M.T.G., Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 13 years ago | Contributor
I am so sorry for your loss and for your present situation. I strongly urge that you seek advice from a qualified estate attorney in your area. This is not the type of thing one can answer her in this forum and give guidance on without telling you about the "whole" picture. You need to discuss possibly a trust, guardianship, right of inheritance of her son, etc. You need to look at all your finances in general and what will be the best in the long run. You are not claiming common law marriage and you have not stated how old her son is although I get the feeling that he may have an issue that needs to be dealt with as well, ad then a trust would be something really to think about. Good luck to you all.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.