Portland, ME asked in Foreclosure and Probate for Maine

Q: My mother passed away and left the house with a reverse mortgage. Do I have do deal with it or can I walk away.

There is no will. A friend of hers had power of attorney and took care of her bills. The last of her bank account was used to cremate her and there are no liquid assets. There is another person still living in the house that doesn't seem motivated to move out that had lived there for free in exchange for keeping up the house and cooking. We haven't been able to easily get in the house and don't have a key. Can we step back from this situation and let it foreclose without being held responsible for anything.

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1 Lawyer Answer
Nina Whitehurst
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Answered
  • Probate Lawyer
  • Crossville, TN

A: Yes, you can step back and do nothing. The lender will foreclose and acquire the house and the heirs will have no personal responsibility to pay the reverse mortgage.

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