Expert: Dick Dennis - 9/20/2010

Question
My grandma died in 2004 and left her house to me,Her attorneys had misplaced the will and died a few days later, My mother has been living there but much to my shock she hasn't paid the property taxes at all, someone paid on them and I'm just finding this out with a month till over $7,000 plus is due and i was curious if there is any way i can get the house transferred into my name so i can take a loan out on it, so i can pay the tax lein so i don't loose the house? If not cud i take a loan out without the house being in my name?

Answer
First thing you must do, Michael, is to find yourself an estate attorney. Chances are very good that attorney will know the process in restoring the lost will.

You might check with the county recording office and see just who is the name on the title of the house. If it turns out your name is on title, then all you have to do is to find yourself a good bank or lender. If it turns out that your grandma is indeed still on the title, proceed to find that estate attorney right away.

The process will go from there. Just maybe that attorney will know a way to delay the payment of the property taxes in your county. However, something is fishy here, Michael. The property tax bill was mailed to the property. That means your mother ignored that bill. That's a big no-no. You might want to check that out, too. I do wish you well.

Dick Dennis
dixiedee13@ol.com