Q: My grandparents had a house built on a property pur hased by one of their 14 kids. That kid sole the property to the
Older kid and the gave the rest some money for it-the house. Grandma was still in the house and so was one of my aunts who helped Grandma. Grandma passed away in 1998 but the older sibling had an arrangement to let my aunt be in the house the rest of her life or till dhe decided to move. The older passed away last year and now her three daughters in NY want to kick ny 71 years old au t to the street to sell the house. Unfortunately this was not in writing but there ade witnesses to the arragenment. Does my aunt have any rights to the property? She has been maintaininv it out of pocket and also paying rent. Thanks.
A: This is the result when laypeople avoid lawyers by having ambiguous understandings that transcend generations. Without reviewing the title and all correspondence, whether signed and on paper or by email, text, checks exchanged, or otherwise, I don't know what rights your aunt may have. At very least, she probably has tenancy rights under a tenancy by sufferance, but those rights are not generous in Virginia. On the other hand, in DC, TOPA rights can be worth tens of thousands of dollars. The only thing I can suggest is a consult, and it doesn't sound like your family likes to spend money on lawyers.
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
