East Chicago, IN asked in Real Estate Law for Indiana

Q: Hello. My mother is giving my brother her house in Texas. Exactly what legal action needs to be done to complete this?

Does a real estate agent have to be involved just for my mom giving it to my brother? There will be no exchange of money.I, the oldest child, will be going to Texas afterwards to empty out the house. There are still items in the house that belonged to my grandmother. I will be getting a home inspection to find out what is wrong with the house before getting a real estate agent. I then will sell the house for my brother. I know he has to give me some sort of authority to do that. Please tell me what that authority is called. Does a lawyer have to write that up, or can it be a simple letter signed by a notary? What else needs to be done? My mother lives in Indiana. My brother and I live in Chicago, Illinois. Thank you, Mary

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1 Lawyer Answer
Paul Stanko
Paul Stanko
Answered
  • Plymouth, IN
  • Licensed in Indiana

A: The laws of the State of Texas will control, since the real estate is located there. Contact a real estate lawyer in Texas to prepare the deed and any power of attorney that needs to be executed. You should also get a title search done to make sure there are no outstanding liens or property taxes.

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