Probate question....Michigan

Question

My Mom cosigned on my house right before passing away almost 4 years ago. No probate was opened, as all of her accounts were payable upon death, or had beneficiaries assigned. She had cosigned on my house, but we were not aware that the property would not automatically transfer to me upon her death. I am currently trying to do a refi, so I can get the house in my name only, and get some cash out. I found out we closed as "tenants in common", and it should have been with full rights to survivorship. Now what do I do?

Trent Harris · Answer

You could do a petition and order for assignment with the Probate Court in the county in which your mother resided as of the date of her death. Or, you could file an application for informal probate and appointment of a personal representative, so the personal representative can sign a deed conveying the property to you (and any other siblings who might be entitled to the property). For more information, you should consult with a qualified probate attorney in your area.

Nina Whitehurst · Answer

You need to hire a local probate attorney to help you probate your mother's estate and get her share of ownership retitled into the  name(s) of her heir(s).     
 
This is a classic example of do-it-yourself estate planning gone wrong.  Please don't make this mistake yourself.  Hire an estate planning attorney to get YOUR affairs in order the right way,

Brent T. Geers · Answer

That's a significant problem. Do you have the other paperwork from the deal? Is there any other mention of joint tenancy? You would be fortunate to discover the tenants in common to be a scrivner's error, correctable by an affidavit, but that's doubtful. The more likely approach, at this point, is that you'll need to probate her half of the house to you.

Q: Probate question....Michigan