Corry, PA asked in Estate Planning for Pennsylvania

Q: Mom has debts(she's deceased) but I don't want to sell her land it's the only thing she left me.

Is there any way around it besides taking on her debt myself?

I grew up in foster care this is one of the very few good things (besides the debt) she did for me.

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1 Lawyer Answer
Mark Scoblionko
Mark Scoblionko
Answered
  • Allentown, PA
  • Licensed in Pennsylvania

A: If the real estate is in just her name, you will have to open an estate, presumably with the help of a lawyer. If there are debts, they will have to be paid before the estate could convey the real estate to you. Additionally, there will be an inheritance tax of 4.5% on the value of the land, and costs and fees associated with the estate, which will have to be paid. If you have no other finances to address these things, the land will, unfortunately, have to be sold to raise the needed cash.

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