Expert: Dick Dennis - 9/23/2008

Question
my grandmother lives in Puerto Rico and owned a house with her long time companion which passed away 4 years ago. well now the house belongs to his family and my grandmother. my grandmother wants her house but the family of her companion don't want to sigh it over. now she has gone to two lawyer trying to get this going but they have sent the family many form for they can sign it over. there are 8 brothers and sister but only half have signed the papers. So the question of the day is what can my grandmother do because she doesn't have anymore money to pay for lawyers?????

Answer
Yes, Damary, it is quite understandable when there are nine people who must sign documents. You just don't know if all of them are still alive or of sound mind. That's why you really should have someone go there and carry the documents to be signed to all nine (five of them left) and get their signatures and have them notarized. It is much better that way than wasting money with attorneys who won't get off their chair. I know if that was me that is what I would be doing. I'd be planning a flight over there. That is less expensive than lawyers.

I wish you well.

Dick Dennis