Carlstadt, NJ asked in Family Law and Estate Planning for New Jersey

Q: Hello-I was engaged to my fiance who has passed away. Do I have any legal rights at this point?

Hello-I was engaged to my fiance who has passed away. We shared his house for the past 2 years, but I was fully moving in this month. I had 1/2 of my belongings there. We were to be wed in September of this year. My son and I were in the process of moving in and had boxes everywhere. My name is not on anything for the house since we were not established yet with being fully moved in. My fiance was battling cancer, but lost his fight. For the past 2 months, I have been the only one taking care of his house, his cat, his cars, and him. Do I have any legal rights at this point?

Two weeks before his passing, he sent a text message to both of his children stating that he wanted me to have his house and that they would get everything else which included: life insurance policies, money, cars, a truck, and two motorcycles.

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1 Lawyer Answer
Richard Diamond
Richard Diamond
Answered
  • Short Hills, NJ
  • Licensed in New Jersey

A: Have you spoken with his children as to that text? I would find out if they are ok with you getting the house. I would also meet with a lawyer who specializes in estate planning, to review that text to see what steps you need to take at this point. Rest assured that his first question will be whether you asked the children whether they were ok with you keeping the house or whether they object.

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