Expert: Michael McClure - 1/9/2010

Question
My wife's brother died 21 Dec 2009.  She is the sole heir to his estate (well under 100K).  He left a condemned double wide mobile home in a trailer park in Clovis, CA.  The park management will pursue CA Civil Code 798.78(b) requiring its removal.  He left no will and had little money in his bank accounts and no life insurance.  We spent several thousand on his funeral and have no funds to remove and demo the trailer.  We live in Missouri.  What will the mobile home park now do to us and what the least expensive way to get rid of the mobile home?  Plus, are we responsible now to the trailer park to remove the trailer?

Answer
Hi Ken...I'm not an attorney, but I don't see how your wife would have any liability in this instance. The title is NOT on her name, right?
I would either walk away, or even contact a mobile home dealer in the area to see if they want to get the space to put a new home on, and make a couple of thousand!  If the space rent is good and the park is desirable, you could then offer it up, as she would then WANT to have possession and control....my company does this all the time....if you don't....the park will.  It does have value!

Good luck, and feel free to write back if you need....."~ Mike