Expert: Dick Dennis - 1/18/2007

Question
My father died in 2000, my mother this year.  The deed to the property is in both their names.  Will we need a death certificate for my dad as well as my mom to sell the house?  Estate is left to two daughters, one as executor.  Thank you.

Answer
I hope that one daughter who is executrix is you, Pat. Because this is the duty of the executrix . . . what you are doing here. The death certificate must be filed with the county and if no will was left, then you must make sure that your parents did not have enough equities to require a probate. Chances are, if the house was all they had, that you may not need a probate. That is sometimes a real hassle. But you should have an estate attorney in the picture to make sure everything goes down well. The attorney will make sure the house goes into your names properly. I do wish you well.

Dick Dennis         dixiedee13@aol.com