Q: Who owns the house?
My mother and stepfather divorced about 10 years ago but still stayes together. About two years ago, he used his money to buy a house and put it solely in my mothers name. My stepfather is emotionally abusive and threatens to kick my mom out of the house which causes her to panic because she thinks he will hire lawyers to prove the house really belongs to him. Who does the house belong to? Could my mother sell the house without his permission?
A: In Florida, if the deed is only in your mother's name and she is unmarried then she owns the house. You do not mention whether there is a mortgage and if so, whose name is on the mortgage. Assuming that there are no encumbrances (mortgages or other liens) then your mother can sell the house if she wants to. Speak with a local family lawyer for more specific advice.
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