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I am the executor of my parents' living trust, which left the assets to be evenly split between my two brothers and me. I have the warranty deed for the house, and I need to buy out my brothers or sell the home within a few months. My brothers agree to be paid their share, with one directly... View More

answered on Apr 18, 2025
As the executor, you could enter into written agreements with your brothers to acquire their interest contingent upon financing in the form a reverse mortgage. It could then be presented to the court for its approval., if required by the jurisdiction that you are in.
Upon approval you... View More
My mother, who was buying the home, recently passed away. My sister, the executor of my mother's estate, is telling my grandfather that he must leave the residence immediately, cannot take or come back to feed one of his dogs, and cannot take anything with him until the will is read. We are... View More

answered on Apr 18, 2025
First of all, your sister has no authority to control any property until a will is probated or an intestate (no will) proceeding is initiated and she is appointed as the Personal Representative. If you cannot find a will, then it may be a good idea for you to initiate such a proceeding and ask that... View More
My mother and I bought a house together, with the mortgage solely in her name. After her passing, I, being on the deed, inherited survivorship rights. Unable to keep up with the mortgage payments, the house went to auction but wasn't sold. I was told I had six months to sell or move. However,... View More

answered on Apr 16, 2025
The lender can sell the property at a sheriff's sale. At the time of sale, if no one else bids on the property, then they are considered the successful bidder, and they have an interest in the home subject to your redemption rights (6 months). During this time, they can assign out their... View More
My mother and I bought a house together, with the mortgage solely in her name. After her passing, I, being on the deed, inherited survivorship rights. Unable to keep up with the mortgage payments, the house went to auction but wasn't sold. I was told I had six months to sell or move. However,... View More

answered on Apr 16, 2025
I think that you misunderstand what happened. It sounds to me like the property went to foreclosure sale, the mortgage holder purchased a sheriff's deed at the sale by "bidding in" the debt, the redemption period expired, and the mortgage holder became the absolute owner of the... View More
My mother and I bought a house together, with the mortgage solely in her name. After her passing, I, being on the deed, inherited survivorship rights. Unable to keep up with the mortgage payments, the house went to auction but wasn't sold. I was told I had six months to sell or move. However,... View More

answered on Apr 16, 2025
Here's a further answer:
If the redemption period has not expired, you could redeem.
However, the holder of a sheriff's deed is free to sell its interest in the property prior to the expiration of the redemption period.
If you were a joint owner at the time of... View More
I moved in with my mother and her husband about 3-4 years ago and had a verbal agreement to pay $200 rent directly to them. After some changes, I was told to pay the landlord directly, but there seemed to be confusion about the payment plan and outstanding balances. I eventually moved out, but my... View More

answered on Apr 8, 2025
If I understand correctly, you verbally 'sublet' part of your mother's rental for $200 a month, but somehow your name is on the lease? How did that work exactly? What does the WRITTEN lease say about your obligations?
Without seeing that document I can't even hazard a... View More
I have been living in a mobile home park for 6 years, and my rent was last increased 12 months ago. Recently, my rent was raised from $520 to $690 without any specific reason provided by management. Other residents have received the same increase. I'm not aware of any local rent control laws.... View More

answered on Apr 5, 2025
Absent rent control or some other local codes, private landlords can choose to charge whatever the market will bear for rent.
This is the disadvantage of renting.
You can also choose to move somewhere else with little to no notice.
This is the advantage of renting.... View More
I gave my ex-girlfriend a 30-day notice to vacate, which she acknowledged with a handwritten letter stating she'd be out in 30 days to avoid eviction on her record. She didn't leave, so I filed for eviction in Michigan a week after the deadline. She's now claiming she'll move... View More

answered on Apr 4, 2025
I think you know the answer, or you wouldn’t be asking the question in the first place. A verbal agreement, in general, is worth the paper that it is written on. Yes she can just change her mind again.
You DO need to serve her however, but so long as you are only looking for eviction and... View More
I inherited property from my father, who passed away in 2017. The property, jointly owned with his siblings, now has a buyer who is aware of the probate status. There was a will involved specifying how my share should be handled. I’m trying to figure out what my share is worth in order to start... View More

answered on Apr 1, 2025
Was the property owned by your father, aunts and/or uncles as tenants in common? I presume so, or else the survivors would own the property and your father's share terminated.
The will may govern disposition of your father's interest in the property as a tenant in common, but... View More
I inherited property from my father, who passed away in 2017. The property, jointly owned with his siblings, now has a buyer who is aware of the probate status. There was a will involved specifying how my share should be handled. I’m trying to figure out what my share is worth in order to start... View More

answered on Apr 1, 2025
The property valuation that is used is based upon the value of the home on the date of the decedent's death. To get the most accurate valuation for that date, you and your family should hire an appraiser—a licensed professional to give a scientific opinion on the home's value. Not a... View More
I'm seeking accountability for my ex-husband's misrepresentation during our divorce. He purchased two houses in 2013, claiming to be single, while we were married until 2014. I have evidence from a workers' compensation hearing showing discrepancies and deeds indicating he was... View More

answered on Mar 29, 2025
Who are you seeking to hold accountable? This all sounds like an issue to be raised in a post-judgment motion to the divorce proceeding. However, you're going to need to explain to the court why and how you could not have discovered and raised this issue before.
You won't hear... View More
I'm interested in acquiring a property as a third party due to $3,700 in unpaid back taxes. The property owner recently passed away, and the owner's nephew has until Monday evening to pay the back taxes. The property is not yet listed for a tax sale or auction. I would like to know if I... View More

answered on Mar 29, 2025
'Control' is such a non-specific word.
Can you PAY the back taxes to the County/State before then? Yes, but the Estate will retain the right to redeem meaning you won't get the property, you'll only get your money (plus interest) back.
Can you BUY the property... View More
I'm interested in acquiring a property as a third party due to $3,700 in unpaid back taxes. The property owner recently passed away, and the owner's nephew has until Monday evening to pay the back taxes. The property is not yet listed for a tax sale or auction. I would like to know if I... View More

answered on Mar 29, 2025
It will depend on whether you can make the arrangement with the authorized representative of the estate of the former homeowner. I would not pay the back taxes until you do; otherwise, you will have just advanced money for the estate without any agreement that the estate will sell the property to... View More
I discovered that my ex-husband lied about his marital status during our divorce, and I was not included in the real estate deed despite being married to him at the time. The houses were not included in the divorce decree, and I believe the title companies did not use my divorce decree for... View More

answered on Mar 28, 2025
Michigan had abolished 'dower rights' for spouses back in 2016. "Dower" was a legal right that gave a wife an interest in her husband's real property for her lifetime, usually up to a 1/3 interest in the real estate. So with regards to any real estate that your husband may... View More
I am a widow, and I own a house in Michigan that I intended to flip. My husband, who is now deceased, added his daughter to the deed solely for cheaper insurance purposes. I am also on the deed, and I am the sole person on the mortgage. My stepdaughter believes the house is hers and is living... View More

answered on Mar 13, 2025
Partition or partition sale is the name of the legal action to be instituted. However, I don't understand the state of title. Did you and your husband own the property as husband and wife? Did both of you sign the deed to add his daughter to the title? If you both owned it and only he... View More
I am a widow, and I own a house in Michigan that I intended to flip. My husband, who is now deceased, added his daughter to the deed solely for cheaper insurance purposes. I am also on the deed, and I am the sole person on the mortgage. My stepdaughter believes the house is hers and is living... View More

answered on Mar 18, 2025
Your remedies at law will depend upon how the deed is held between you and your step daughter. The 'magic' language in the deed controls how you may be able to proceed in circuit court for a declaratory action of partition. You also may have rights to financial contribution as well.... View More
My brother passed away in December 2024, and I am the personal representative for his estate in Michigan. His wife passed away in 2013. They lived in a home purchased during their marriage, but only his late wife’s name was on the deed. My brother never had the property transferred to his name.... View More

answered on Mar 7, 2025
The Will devise is your source of title. When you are able to sell it during the Probate process, then your Deed will have the devise to you as the derivation of title in the legal description. It should specifically cite the will book, page number and docket number of the Court where it was... View More
My brother passed away in December 2024, and I am the personal representative for his estate in Michigan. His wife passed away in 2013. They lived in a home purchased during their marriage, but only his late wife’s name was on the deed. My brother never had the property transferred to his name.... View More

answered on Mar 8, 2025
You don't 'update' the deed. You probate the will and it looks like you will also need to probate his wife's estate as well. I strongly urge you to consult with a local (to the county where they lived) licensed probate attorney to walk through what steps may be necessary.... View More
I am the personal representative of my brother's estate in Michigan. He purchased a home with his late wife in 2008, who passed away in 2013. The deed is currently under his late wife's name with "estate" noted after it. My brother never had the deed changed to his name. His... View More

answered on Mar 8, 2025
You will need to provide the probate attorney with a copy of the deed. If the language on the deed is drafted properly, then the property interest may not need to be probated. Deeds contain language that has far-reaching consequences, so that is where most attorneys would start, by reviewing the... View More
I purchased my home in Michigan 3 years ago, and there is a utility pole 16 feet onto my property from the end of the public right-of-way. The utility company refuses to relocate the pole, citing its presence before my purchase and an old court precedent. I have contacted the Michigan attorney... View More

answered on Mar 8, 2025
Your attorney will need to review the easement rights of the utility company further. The easement language will control. If this pole was placed there without permission and it is on your property, then you may have to file an action with the court to have it removed.
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