Q: My parents lived in Chicago and owned a home in Puerto Rico. They both passed away within the last year and half.
My parents lived in Chicago and owned a home in Puerto Rico. They both passed away within the last year and half. My brother and I (we live in Chicago) would like to sell the house in Puerto Rico. My mother did not have a will. My father signed a will but it was not notarized. The signature was witnessed by one person and the signing was video recorded. What do we have to do in order to sell the house in Puerto Rico?
A:
First, find out how the property is titled in Puerto Rico. Is it in the name of your parents? Perhaps it is a life estate where it is reverted to you and your brother (I doubt this would be the case, but who knows?). If you have the property identification number, you might be able to find this information on-line. Or do you have a copy of the Deed?
Once you find out how the property is titled, if I were you and your brother, I would hire a local Estate Attorney. Tell them you need a Letter of Office Decedent's Estate. The attorney will obtain the Letter of Office from the Circuit Court.
If you and brother are the only direct relatives, it should not be too difficult to settle this estate.
Once you have the Letter of Office, find a realtor in Puerto Rico, who will list and sell the property for you.
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