Petersburg, VA asked in Probate for Virginia

Q: My mother passed in Oct with no will or executor. Her only asset was a mobile home that was paid for, but she rented

the lot. The home is valued at 8,000 but she had credit card debt in excess of 10,000. Do I need to go through the probate process? I have several other questions regarding this matter.

Related Topics:
2 Lawyer Answers
Richard Sternberg
Richard Sternberg
Answered
  • Probate Lawyer
  • Potomac, MD
  • Licensed in Virginia

A: I'd be happy to sell you a discounted one-hour consult, and we could do it by Zoom in these quarantine conditions, but why would you want to open a probate estate? If her assets were $8,000 -- assuming you could get $8,000 after it was moved off the rental property -- and her debts were $10,000, then all the proceeds of the sale of the mobile home will go to pay the debts. And, as a bonus, if you do it incorrectly, like not using a lawyer and making mistakes, you could become personally liable for the debt. While you might want to spend an hour running through the details with a lawyer, it is highly unlikely that you will conclude that you want to become the administrator.

Ross Cameron Hart agrees with this answer

Ross Cameron Hart
Ross Cameron Hart
Answered
  • Probate Lawyer
  • Salem, VA
  • Licensed in Virginia

A: I agree generally with Mr. Sternberg. However, if the mobile home is titled (likely as it's in a park) then there may be a process with DMV where you, as sole heir, can get title. You can then sell the mobile home IF YOU WANT TO. There are several moving parts to this and a lot of ways you can get hurt. I can also do a consult if you want, but suggest you meet with a local probate attorney for more specific advice.

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.