Worried For Father

Expert, localized Los Angeles answers provided by Heather Roy

Worried For Father
	Dear Ms. Lank, My father, 83 and now widowed, has shared his sister-in-law’s house for 37 years. He and my mother did most of the housekeeping and maintenance, bought groceries and paid half the utilities. Recently, the sister-in-law showed him her will.It states he may continue to live in the home rent-free for up to one year but must pay property taxes, insurance and repairs.The home will need work to make it marketable and there may be environmental issues. He has never seen a property tax bill or owned a home so he may not understand the costs of ownership and marketing property. he won’t take the will to his attorney to review.I believe his loyalty may be misplaced.What options does he have to protect himself?

	It’s not clear what you feel he needs to be protected against.The sister-in-law evidently wants to make sure your father can’t be put out of his long-time home in a hurry. I don’t see why living there for a year would mean he had to market the property.Selling would be a job for the heirs.It’s easy to find out the property taxes. Anyone can look in the local tax office. For many locations, the information is freely available on the Internet. Try entering the property address at zillow.com.Perhaps it will ease your mind to hear that an heir can refuse to accept a bequest.
	Edith Originally published on July 7, 2006

	Back to Summary	< Previous \| Next >


SEARCH: Search for questions about Mortgage, Finance & Taxes