Today’s article is about what happens to a Florida homestead, a/k/a “family home” when someone forgets all about their spouse and then dies without ever having added a spouse to the title of the family home. This misstep can to a messy probate for the surviving spouse. Even worse, if the deceased spouse neglected to create a last will and testament in Florida, the surviving spouse’s inheritance of the Florida homestead may be compromised.
Helping folks understand the consequences for a surviving spouse’s homestead with no Florida estate planning, as a preventative measure, is the focus of this week’s article.
Spousal Failure to Add a Spouse to a Homestead Title [the Consequences]
If someone fails to add a spouse to the homestead title and also passes away without a will, a probate will be required and the state laws of intestacy will dictate to whom the homestead passes and this is not solely the surviving spouse.
The Life Estate in Florida
In an effort to protect a surviving spouse and the sanctity of the home while still protecting the rights of lawful children, the state of Florida homestead laws dictate that a surviving spouse is entitled to a “life estate” in the homestead property and that a “remainder interest” goes to the lawful children of the deceased spouse.
So, again if there is no last will and the real property was never jointly titled in the spouses names, a probate administration in Florida will be required. Next, after enduring the probate process, the surviving spouse will end up with what is called a “life estate”. You may think this sounds okay if you’re guessing that this means that spouse has a legal interest for life and that upon her death the property will pass to the deceased spouse’s heirs. You would only be partially correct in this assumption, because life estates are a big problems for owners for a couple of reasons as follows.
First, life estates present problems for refinancing the existing mortgage on the real property. Simply put, banks are unable to allow the refinance because the remainder beneficiaries have an interest and generally, aren’t interested in being put on the mortgage. Even if they’re willing to sign on the mortgage, this presents a title problem because their interest is not a present one…but rather a future interest. Second, the owner of the life estate still must answer to the remainder beneficiaries for matters such as property maintenance and of course, the sale of the real property would need to be approved by the remainder beneficiaries.
The Homestead Waiver in Florida
The laws of intestacy in Florida will change if a “homestead waiver” in a document such as a Florida prenuptial agreement, has ever been signed by the surviving spouse. Sometimes, a homestead waiver is signed inadvertently as part of a refinancing by the couple and this can actually make matters worse.
If a homestead waiver has been signed, then the real property will pass 50% to the surviving spouse and 50% to the children of the deceased spouse. This unfortunate event happens because the surviving spouse had waived the protection of the Florida homestead laws. This means that the surviving spouse will become a 50% owner with the surviving children of the deceased spouse.
Does this sound okay?
Technically, the children can charge the surviving spouse rent in this scenario, although they are also jointly responsible for expenses. Of course, this also creates issues, as mentioned above, with refinancing, and a resale of the home and essentially makes the surviving spouse answerable to the children concerning all matters related to the real property.
The Solution:
Titling the Florida homestead JOINTLY or
Using a Revocable Living Trust…
If a property is titled jointly with a spouse it can pass to a them without a need for probate for other proceedings. If a spouses does not wish to leave the homestead property solely to the surviving spouse, this can be most efficiently accomplished by utilizing a Florida revocable living trust and offering a life interest the spouse or some variation thereof.
The trust option is much preferable to the intestacy laws because the trust agreement can dictate what happens if the home needs to be sold. For example, the home could be downsized or replaced and surplus proceeds could be held the trust to support the spouse and then pass to the children.
Of course, all of the above requires a careful customized look at the specific estate circumstances.
Steve Gibbs, Esq.
This is an updated version of an original post dated August 25, 2016.
What happens when a homestead property is in the name of husband and wife? Upon the death
of the other, property belongs to the surviving spouse, and being the new owner,can he or she
has the right to sell it?
Generally, it would pass to the surviving spouse. Let us know if we can take a closer look at the deed for you, as all legal advice should be confirmed in a private review. Thanks for your comment!
I was able to find good informaation from your articles.
I owned my condo years before I married. My spouse owns a home in NY. The deed is in my Revocable Trust. If I die first does my spouse have any financial rights to my property? He has made no financial contribution to my property.
Also,do I have any rights to his NY property?
We are considering a Post Nuptial agreement
Hi Barbara, thanks for reading and your homestead question. The short general answer is that in FL a spouse may have rights to a FL homestead in the event of the other spouse’s death by virtue of his/her living in the home during marriage. Rules for property rights upon a spouse’s death tend to vary from those applicable to divorce in FL. I can’t answer about NY because am not licensed there and don’t know and in any event, all of this lends itself to more due diligence…questions and answers. We do have a NY licensed attorney in our office. I think your inclination to pursue a post nuptial agreement is a good one, as this is generally the best way to confirm spousal rights to assets upon death. Please don’t consider this legal advice…I’m offering it for educational purposes only and as a way to point you in the right direction. Understand that legal advice can only be given in a private, detailed consultation where there is an attorney-client relationship (or at least the first steps toward one). Please e-mail Gene Ross at admin@gibbslawfl.com if you would like to schedule a more in depth discussion.
Best,
Steve Gibbs, Esq.
When my mom died her home was in the name of a trust with me as trustee.
Why does the state of florida ignore the. Revocable trust and give the guy she married unbeknownst to the family 6 month s before she past a life tenancy plus he could have forced us to sell it by exercising options. It doesnt make sense compared to your info.
Hello Jinny, thanks for reading and commenting. The facts that you’re stating aren’t clear enough for me to offer reasons or possibilities except to say that if a life tenancy was granted 6 months before your mom passed, then something like a deed (and possibly a court order of some kind) would’ve had to have been done at that time. Spouses do have homestead rights that offer a life tenancy. The point of the article that you’re commenting on is that without a last will, the spouse’s rights are limited to life with a remainder going to children.
I hope this helps clarify. You are always welcome to connect with Gene at admin@gibbslawfl.com or call 239-415-7495 to arrange a more in depth review and discussion.
Best,
Steve Gibbs, Esq.
Will adding my husband to the deed affect my homestead in Florida?
Hello Linda, thanks for reading and commenting. If you and your husband are living in the homestead, doing a deed may not impact your homestead since he may have homestead rights to that real property anyway in the event of your death. However, adding him to the deed would eliminate unnecessary complications upon death by providing him with a right of survivorship. There may be other issues to consider, so it sounds like you both may be benefit from a personalized estate planning discussion when you’re ready to take that step. Feel free to reach out to Gene at admin@gibbslawfl.com or call 239-415-7495.
Best,
Steve Gibbs, Esq.
Hi,
My mom passed away without a valid will. The house’s title deed is in her name. My stepdad’s name is on the 2nd mortgage along with my mom’s. She passed away in 2017. What will be the outcome of this situation? I really need help. Can he sell because his name is on the mortgage along with my mom’s (although his name is not on the deed)? How much interest does my brother and I have as her children? He is taking over the house as if its his and I feel that we (my mother’s children) should have interest.
I read the article and I was excited about the remainder interest because my stepdad is not on the deed; However, he is on the 2nd mortgage that he is currently paying off. This creates a slight fear in me with this situation. He is living in the house with his daughter (not my mother’s child). I was away for college and he forced my brother out of the house. He is trying to take what is not fully his! What do you suggest? What will be the outcome? Nothing has been done with the house to my knowledge.
Hello and thanks for commenting. Without looking at the deed and mortgage it is tough to comment and it is really problematic to offer any legal conclusion in a blog post. Let us know if we can help further by e-mailing Gene at admin@gibbslawfl.com.
Best, Steve Gibbs, Esq.
Hello, in my previous comment, I mentioned that we would need to review documents in a confidential relationship to offer legal opinions and this is for your protection as well as ours. Please feel free to connect at admin@gibbslawfl.com.
Best, Steve Gibbs, Esq.
If I have nephews but no children and I homestead my house before I marry, then after marriage create a will where I want the house to be divided between my wife and nephews, would the state honor that after my death. or would my wife get the whole house? Thanks for your helpful Q&A.
Hello and thanks for reading and commenting. Even though you apparently homesteaded your house before marriage, if you live in that house with your spouse, there is a good chance in FL that she’ll be able to make a claim for at least a life estate. The way to get around this is generally a prenuptial agreement with a homestead waiver. I recommend acting before you wed and that you seek expert advice, as this is only my observation offered for educational purposes given without any direct knowledge of your situation. To schedule a more in depth discussion, connect with Gene at admin@gibbslawfl.com.
Best, Steve Gibbs, Esq.
Hi. I love your website. It’s so informative and well written! Thank you!
Here’s my question..
My mom owns her Florida home outright since the 80s. She’s married to a third husband who does not Iive with her in her home in Florida, he lives in his own home in Virginia. My mom wants to will me her Florida home as I’ve become severely disabled with a brain infection. Her husband says “over his dead body will I (Jessica) get the house.”
If my mom formalized a will deeding her house to me and expressing her desire to pass it down to me and me alone, and she subsequently, passed away, how would Florida Homestead Law impact my gaining access/title to the home with her new husband contesting?
Hello Jessica, thank you and kudos for reading and commenting. Yours is a tricky question. On one hand, the fact that your mom’s husband doesn’t live there could weigh in your favor. On the other, spousal homestead rights are very strong in FL. Very tough call such that if your mom wants you to have it, you might have her deed it now and obtain a waiver from her spouse. Please don’t take this is a firm legal opinion as a more information is needed and this would require a private consultation.
Best, Steve Gibbs, Esq.
My father owns a house in Florida and now he want to sell it he has no son. In which ratio he will share the money among their wife and 2 daughters
Hello Emma, thanks for reading and commenting. Unfortunately, it is difficult to understand your question and it looks like it would warrant a consultation anyway. Please feel free to reach out to Gene at admin@gibbslawfl.com.
Best, Steve Gibbs, Esq.
Hi my question is my mom signed her property to my brother in Florida only for him to watch over it because she lives in Michigan and he in Florida. Meantime this allowed my brother to get lower property taxes. After a 1 1/2 year of marriage My brother died . The wife has now claimed the deed . The property has been with my family for over 100 years. I have lived on the property for 4 years paid all taxes . Does my family still have rights to the property
Hello Eula, thanks for commenting. As with many blog questions that I receive, yours is very difficult to answer with looking at the deed and other aspects of the case directly. The short answer is that if a deed was properly executed to your brother, it may be difficult to overcome the challenge by his wife due to Florida’s stringent homestead protections. Still, there are factors that could be considered such as whether the spouse lived in the homestead and for how long, etc. I do suggest to obtain formal advice from an experienced real estate litigation attorney in your area.
Best, Steve Gibbs, Esq
Thank you for all the information your site provides. My brother has two adult daughthers and has a homestead property he owned prior to his second marriage. He married without a prenup (supposedly) and now the wife is entitled to half the house (or lifeestate)and his two daughters to the other half since he passed away. If they agree to split it and sign an agreement, yet later learn there was indeed a prenup that the wife never disclosed what happens? Also, what would happen if before he passed away the wife had convinced him to refinance. Would the refinance affect the rights to the property? Is there a difference in the way a refinance can affect a divorce vs a death when it come to asset distribution?
Hello Blake, you’re welcome of course and it’s nice to get great feedback. The short answers to your questions are that yes, if there was a valid prenup, that could impact the wife’s homestead rights if it were enforceable and made reference to those specific rights. I don’t think, based upon your facts, that the refi would affect anything except that the bank’s rights to whatever equity is there would’ve changed. I’m not aware of any situation where a refi would impact spousal rights in divorce, but divorce law isn’t my expertise. The wife “convincing” him could be another issue if there was wrongful manipulation (something called undue influence). However, that can be very tough to prove. Of course all of the above are just general observations offered for educational purposes only (NOT ADVICE). For something more concrete, you would need to connect in a private attorney-client consultation to explore the facts in more detail.
Best, Steve Gibbs, Esq.
My mom passed away and there is no will.
My name is not on the deed to the house, which she owned and was homestead in.I am the only child and she was not married.
What is my next step to get the deed/title in my name. And will I be automatically homestead as well.?
I have found my name as beneficiary on IRA accounts..Does that help me?
I reside in Florida.
Please email me your opinion.
Regards,
Kim
Hello Kimberly, because you need legal help, it would be irresponsible of me to just throw out advice without looking at some things with you. To schedule a confidential conversation, e-mail Gene at admin@gibbslawfl.com.
Thanks,
Steve Gibbs, Esq.
hi. my stepfather passed but my mom was not listed on deed or mortgage,..she is making the mortgage payments and will be paid off in 5 years… will she get the title and deed?. will she be able to put her name on since mortgage is paid off?
Hello William, thanks for commenting. Hard to say without knowing anything about their estate plan; however, she would have homestead rights if she never waived them formally in a document so very likely she could end up with a life estate interest.
Best, Steve Gibbs, Esq.
I put my disable daughter on my house deed so if anything had happen to me she would have a place to live but she die before me now the country say that I own 50% of the house and will losa my homestead If I own 50% who own the other 50% thank
Hello Peter, thanks for commenting. It’s impossible for me to offer feedback on this without seeing the deed and discussing in a private consultation. To coordinate, please follow up with Gene at admin@gibbslawfl.com.
Best, Steve
Is my mother’s estranged husband entitled to proceeds from the sale of the house she transferred title to me during their marriage… and his name was never added to the title? If she owned the house before they married?
Hello Jacqueline, thanks for commenting. The short answer is it depends upon the situation, such as whether they purchased or moved into another homestead after she transferred title. Homestead laws are tricky in FL so he could potentially make a claim for a life interest in it. You may need a legal opinion in FL.
Best, Steve Gibbs, Esq.
I have been living with and caring for my disabled brother in his Florida home. His children just moved him in with them. I have a living estate in this home. Can they force me to move?
Hello Ray, thanks for your comment. It is impossible to answer your question without more information. The question you need to answer is who has legal authority over your brother if he cannot act for himself. This legal authority would depend upon the documents executed by your brother appointing legal representatives. If he hasn’t provided any then a guardian may need to be appointed. I recommend a formal consultation to explore this further and you can schedule this by e-mailing Gene at admin@gibbslawfl.com.
Best, Steve Gibbs, Esq.
If my spouse invests 10% in a house and I invest 90%, what would be the best way to retain our investments as we title the house? Tenants in common with undivided interest amounts of 10% and 90% ?? Or, because we’re married, this doesn’t even matter. …. what about in the untimely even of a divorce?
Hello Leonard, thanks for reading. How to title would depend largely on whether this a homestead property among other things and thus it is impossible to answer clearly. I highly recommend you seek a consultation to iron this out. If you’d like to do so, connect with Gene at info@gibbslawfl.com.
Hello, I live in Florida. My husband died and I was never on the deed to the home. He owned the home prior to our marriage and it never occured to me whether my name was on the deed or not but I am on the mortgage. I have a life estate and my two step daughters and my two sons have claimed an interest in the property. The monthly mortgage is over 2200 per month which my husband paid and due to the Life Estate, I’m unable to refinance and the mortgage company would not grant me a loan modification. Do I have any other options as I may stop making the mortgage payment altogether and i don’t think the mortgage company can foreclose easily due to the remaindermen? Thanks
Hello Poppy, thanks for your question. Unfortunately, it amounts for very important legal advice and thus is not appropriate for a blog comment. As general information, resolving your matter may involve negotiating with your lender. I strongly urge you NOT to suspend payments or take other actions without consulting with a real estate attorney who focuses on foreclosures, pre-foreclosures and loan modifications.
Best, Steve Gibbs, Esq.
I have been married for over 28 years. Me and my spouse are separated and have not lived under the same roof for two years. We have three adult children that are independent and out of the house. We own several properties and a businesses that he runs. At this time everything that we have is completely paid off. To my knowledge I am on the deed to two of our properties that we own but everything else I do not have access to as he has also placed assets under his name or business name.s. We currently do not have a will in place. If he were to pass away how would that affect me being that he still takes care of mostly everything financially at this time. What is the best way for me to protect myself in the event that he passed away before me.
Hello Judith, thanks for your comment and question. The short answer is without a last will, the laws of intestacy would control the estate. As a spouse you would be entitled a certain portion based upon the nature of the assets and the children would be entitled to portion. Homestead offers a life interest with remainder to the adult children. However, if your spouse has a last will attempting to disinherit you then you would need to rely upon the elective share laws. Your scenario definitely warrants looking in to. To take next steps I suggest you connect with Gene at info@gibbslawfl.com. He may have already e-mailed you from.
Best, Steve Gibbs, Esq.
Married man n Florida dies with no will but he has adult children from a previous marriage and no children together.
His widow chooses to stay in the home .
Both of their names were on the deed with no survivorship clause.
How do the intestate shares of the homestead transfer to his adult children and what happens to the house when she passes away?
Hi Pam, good question. Assuming all facts are as stated, the widow typically would get a life estate with the remainder upon her death passing in equal shares to the surviving children of both him and her.
I hope this is helpful.
Best, Steve Gibbs, Esq.
Hi Mr. Gibbs,
Assuming the same scenario above, can the judge order the spouse refinance the property, either regular refinance or reverser mtg and payoff the portion belonging to his children or must the children wait till she passes for their shares? Can his children request to be added as additional insured on the insurance policy in order to make sure that the property remains insured? Can his kids also request to be added on the mortgage to receive any notifications, late payments, missed payments etc.? Assuming it was a multiunit property, are his kids entitled to any income of the other rented units which the surviving spouse isn’t occupying?
Hi Mr. Gibbs,
Married man n Florida dies with no will but he has adult children from a previous marriage and no children together.
His widow chooses to stay in the home .
Both of their names were on the deed with no survivorship clause.
How do the intestate shares of the homestead transfer to his adult children and what happens to the house when she passes away? Can the judge order the spouse refinance the property, either regular refinance or reverser mtg and payoff the portion belonging to his children or must the children wait till she passes for their shares? Can his children request to be added as additional insured on the insurance policy in order to make sure that the property remains insured? Can his kids also request to be added on the mortgage to receive any notifications, late payments, missed payments etc.? Assuming it was a multiunit property, are his kids entitled to any income of the other rented units which the surviving spouse isn’t occupying?
Hello Frank, thanks for reading. The short answer is the spouse has a right to stay in the home for life (minimally) with a likely remainder to the kids. The other questions are speculative, as judges can order a lot of things and every case is different. A judge; however, will not likely get involved to pressure the spouse into anything on behalf of the kids. If you’re looking for more details, I think you’ll need to engage a consultation. Feel free to connect with Gene at info@gibbslawfl.com.
Best, Steve Gibbs, Esq.
See prior response.
Best, Steve Gibbs, Esq.
Hi , My husband and I built a new home 11 years ago. We are homestead each have adult children from previous marriages. He does not want to do a will but we want the house to go totally to each other 100 percent when something happens to one of us. How can we set this up without an attorney. His daughter is a attorney/ judge and he refuses to go to one. Help please
Hi Donna, if you own the property as a married couple (tenancy by the entireties), you should have a problem with a right of survivorship, even without a last will. A problem could occur upon the passing of the last of you because the predeceasing party’s adult children could be cut out of the estate. Thus, a lady bird deed adding both sets of adult children represented may be very important to both of you. Also, understand that you need actual legal advice and in a blog comment setting I can only offer general feedback for “educational purposes”. I
Best, Steve Gibbs, Esq.
My aunt lives in Palm Cost Florida, secured purchase of home with her 401k which she had to have documented by her bank and fax to make settlement. At the time of purchase she was in Philadelphia taking care of business and her husband made settlement on home and didn’t have her name added to home. He is deceased and he have children that weren’t apart of their marriage. Is she entitled to the home or do it pass to his children?
Hello, in general if the real property is homestead, she would be entitled to a life interest in it and the children would have a remainder interest. More questions would need to be answered in a consultation setting in order to give you actionable advice, as this forum is for educational purposes only.
Best, Steve Gibbs, Esq.
How do I find out if my deceased father and his spouse of 10 years had joint signatures on his Homestead Property after the marriage. She sold his condo and purchase into another on the same property to prevent my entitlement
Hello Omega, you could obtain a copy of the deed; however, understand that spouses do have a right to homestead property, at least for life, and if it was jointly owned then the spouse would have 100% ownership unless perhaps you’re a minor. I hope this helps.
Best, Steve Gibbs, Esq.
Hello, my husband owned his home before we married and I owned my own home. I sold my home and the proceeds are in a bank account that is in my name only. His home (where I now live too) remains in his name only. He has no children and neither of us has a will. What happens to his house if he should die first? Also, what would happen to the monies I received from the sale of my home? (Btw… I have 2 children from a previous marriage. Thank you!
Hello Laura, thanks for connecting. Without getting into legal advice, as this isn’t the place for it, so for educational purposes only, a surviving spouse can claim an “elective share” to claim assets not otherwise jointly titled. There are a number of factors that can come into question with this. Your best approach is to do some trust planning to determine who gets what and elective share rights can be addressed in trust also.
Best, Steve Gibbs, Esq.
Hello. I recently remarried. I have one adult child through a previous marriage. I own / am paying off a condo, which I bought before getting remarried. My current wife is not on the deed, but I recently refinanced the mortgage, so she is on the mortgage as per Florida law. I pay 100% of the mortgage. If I die without a will, does my child have any interest in the condo?
Hello Danny, without the last will, the statute would grant a life interest to a spouse with the remainder upon her death going to your child or children. If you’d like to pursue a particular result, professional planning is highly recommended to prevent confusion and problems. Let us know if we can help.
Best, Steve Gibbs, Esq.
I live in Florida, my and I are married but he is living with someone else. Everything is in his and his girlfriends name. What rights would I have if he passes away?
Hi Pamela and thanks for commenting. The short answer is you wouldn’t have rights to the girlfriend’s property unless you can prove your husband transferred assets to avoid claims by you. In your situation, divorce may provide a remedy because a divorce court requires disclosure of assets and you could challenge the history of the assets if retitled.
Best, Steve Gibbs, Esq.
My father married a woman he brought over from the Philippines on Oct 8, 2018. He passed away exactly one year later to the day. He had no will, and he had himself and his ex wife (also passed away) on the deed. His wife of one year has been living in the home since his death. He had a reverse mortgage when he died. His wife recently contacted me upset because a lawyer told her I have some rights to the home. No idea how I find out more info. So she’s not on the deed, married one year, came over for green card. My dad had told me prior to meeting her that I was to inherit his home. Just not sure what rights I have if any. Thank you.
Hello Debbie, if they were legally married and lived in the homestead, she would likely be covered by homestead laws to receive at least a “life interest” in that property.
Best,
Steve Gibbs, Esq.
First of all thank you for this website. I just recently lost my wife. I was not on the deed but am on the mortgage. I have a few questions. Can I be put on the deed? Can the house be sold? Thank you again for your time.
Hello Penny, the short answer is under marital laws a person has a homestead right so even if not on the deed, typically there would pass a life interest in the homestead with a remainder to other heirs at law. It’s tough to answer more directly without a thorough review and consultation. Let us know if we can help.
Best, Steve Gibbs, Esq.
Hello Mr. Gibbs! Thanks for this website! My mother recently passed and we have a situation that is creating much confusion as to who is entitled to what. This is the scenario. Parents married. Mother had 2 children by prior marriage. She lost parental rights. My parents had 6 children. Purchased a home in Florida. Got divorced in 1980. Remarried in 1983. Continued to reside and homestead the same property until father died in 2012.. Mom passed in 2020. My understanding is the TBE was destroyed at the time of the divorce and property title was held as TC. There was no reconveyance to re-establish TBE. Was a life estate automatically in place at dad’s death for mom with their 6 children as heirs after her passing? Are her 2 estranged children entitled to inherit?
Hello Beverly, of course, this is a complicated scenario that would require additional investigation in a consultative setting. The 2 children by prior marriage may have homestead rights regardless of mom’s parental rights terminating; however, I’m not certain of this. Divorce does alter the TBE; however, the remarriage would reinstate mom’s homestead rights and those potentially flowing to her kids as well as dads. More title review is needed.
Best, Steve Gibbs, Esq.
My father and mother bought a home in Tampa. The deed is in my father and mother’s name. They took out a loan in order to purchase the house. My mother passed away and a few years later my father remarried. He had a prenup with a new marriage that didn’t cover the homestead issue. My father had a will that list both my brother and me as sole beneficiaries. He has now passed and the court has named her the executor of the estate (my brother was listed in the will). She now is filing for a petition for the life estate. If she is granted this motion and moves in, who is responsible for the mortgage and HOA, upkeep of the home? What happens if the mortgage isn’t paid. My brother and I can’t afford it. Currently the mortgage is being deferred as we were hoping to sell the house.
Hello Chris, I can’t say what the outcome may be; however, this is why we counsel folks regularly to do a proper prenup and homestead waivers are critical. Since there may not be one, she may end up with the life estate. You’ll need to seek legal counsel that handles estate litigation and this isn’t our focus area.
Best, Steve Gibbs, Esq.
My father is married they have two houses I’m my father only child but my deceased what happens
His spouse would have a life interest in homestead property at the least; however, she gets it all if jointly titled with a right of survivorship. The other property depends solely on how it is titled. Dad should have an estate plan:)
Best, Steve Gibbs, Esq.
My daughters father died in Florida intestate. He was married and had two children outside of his last marriage (including my daughter). His name and wife’s name are on the home. Will his 2 daughters receive a share in his property, home, any assets?
With an intestate estate, his kids could share a portion of the remainder of the homestead when his current wife passes. However, you would really want to get a consultation to look into the estate details to be sure.
Best,
Steve Gibbs, Esq.
My brothers wife died with an old will leaving the house to her siblings (made out prior to the marriage) and they never got around to putting spouse on the deed …he wants to stay in the house and wants the deed put in his name as he has been paying the mortgage for 22 years ( both names are on the mortgage) what are his rights?
Hello and thanks for you question. They were married and if this was homestead property than he would have a “life interest” or a right to live there for life with the remainder probably (to be determined) going to his wife’s siblings. More information in a consultation setting is needed prior to taking any action as this is only for educational purposes.
Best, Steve Gibbs, Esq.
My brother died and was married with no children. His home he purchased before he was married and he never added his wife to the deed. His wife is still living in the house by herself and suffered some medical issues and no longer works. The house has been paid for. There was never a probate done just a declaration of Homestead. I have been trying to work with my sister-in-law and she’s a little crazy or flaky and doesn’t want to do anything but there is no deed that shows her name on it. Who owns the house
Hello Patricia, because she lives there and was married to your brother, she most likely owns a life interest in the home if it was the homestead for her husband regardless of the deed.
Best, Steve Gibbs, Esq.
Florida residency: Husband / Wife in second marriage. Husband as a trust. Names wife as receiving 30% in trust. He dies. Wife is entitled to 30% (elective share). Wife dies before receiving 30%. No beneficiaries of wife are named in trust, only children of husband. What happens to 30%?
Hello John, it would depend upon what the trust says, thus you need a consultation to have the trust and potentially other document (i.e. the last will) reviewed. Let us know if we can help.
Best, Steve
My mother owned her homestead property beforeSgt married my dad. He was never on the deed on 35 yrs. My mother signed it over to me and i was the deed holder then she passed Away can my dad take it from me even though i owned it before my mother died?
Hello Lisa, if it really was the marital home then he may be able to make a claim under homestead, though it is more difficult since the deed was conveyed prior to your mother’s passing. Hard to say without a thorough review and this is just a general observation offered for educational purposes.
Best, Steve Gibbs, Esq.
My husband died last year and did not leave a will or anything. I am his legal wife, I am not on the deed or mortgage of our home. Since his death I have not been making the house payments now I am getting notices from other attorneys that a suit has been filed against me by our mortgage company even though I have not been notified by the mortgage company or the courts. Do I have any rights to keep the house?
Hello Patricia,
I strongly recommend that you seek a legal consultation as a blog post is not the proper place to address your concerns. A spouse has homestead rights in FL (generally speaking); however, the mortgage isn’t being paid so that’s a problem.
I suggest connecting with a real estate attorney in your area.
Best, Steve Gibbs, Esq.
My husband and I have an old family (his) home we’ve both worked to rebuild. His brother had tried a few times while their moms name on it to take from us, so we paid off mortgage and removed her name. My name still not on it, husband has no will but a estranged daughter, and his brother started getting mail recently at our address though he hasn’t stepped foot here since he was 10 as if he’s trying to imply residence. What will happen to the house, and me, should my husband die before my names on house?
Hello Delia, it sounds like you need a legal consultation and thus it really isn’t a good idea to speculate in a blog comment. You may or may not have homestead rights in FL depending on additional facts to be discussed. You can schedule a consultation at gibbslawFL.com.
Best, Steve Gibbs, Esq.
I jointly own florida home with spouse,there was a divorce pending,but was still legally married.Spouse recently passed.
Stepson now claiming half of marital home. .No will as far as i know.Do they have rights to a claim.??
The home has no mortgage.
I would appreciate any info you can give me..
Hello, it would likely depend on how far along the divorce was and what was to happen to the home. You should consult your divorce attorney in this or someone who works in that area.
Best, Steve Gibbs, Esq.
My Mom has passed away and my Mom and Stepdad are co-borrowers on their mortgage. We went to refinance 9 months after my moms death and they said we need to go through probate. Wouldn’t the house just be my step dads now? We are confused and need help. If we need to initiate probate and the house is the only asset my mom had what will probate cost us?
Hello Robin, a probate shouldn’t be needed if the house was owned as a Tenancy by the Entirety (jointly as a married couple with a right of survivorship). It sounds like you need an attorney to look at the deed and help you determine next steps.
Best, Steve Gibbs, Esq.
I’m not on deed of our mobile home , we’re married.(Florida) If he were to pass would I have to put it in my name? What would this cost?
Hi Laura, yes if he passed you would be best served by titling it in your name – adding you beforehand is better – word to the wise, mobile homes are odd since they are registered like vehicles and often times include a ground lease. If you want to protect your interest, you should do some planning with an expert attorney now.
Best, Steve Gibbs, Esq.
I bought a house in Florida 5 years ago and I have a 13 year old. House is paid in full in my name only and I want to leave it for my child when I die. I was thinking about doing a Lady Bird deed with my child as beneficiary, but what happens if I remarry? Could my new spouse challenge the deed if I pass? Thank you,
If a property is a marital homestead than it is possible for a spouse to challenge. The spousal waiver and/or nuptial agreement is the best prevention for this.
Best, Steve Gibbs, Esq.
Hi,
My mom passed away and my dad remarried. He and my mom had property without a house on it as well as a home together which my dad still owns. He remarried, and bought a house together with his new bride, still owning his previous home and additional property, which is in his name and my mothers name only. How does it work if there is no trust or will when my father passed away?
Pam, this is honestly like a law exam question, lol. Short answer offered for educational purposes only, when your mom passed your dad received that property (both parcels) probably by right of survivorship so he can “probably” do whatever he wants with it. His new bride has homestead rights and if they own it jointly then if he passes she will receive “probably”. More information is needed though to really begin to understand this – deeds and title would need to be examined to be sure.
Best, Steve Gibbs, Esq.
My mother passed away with no will.
Does her husband..not my nor my sisters father.
Have sole rights to the house?
They bought house for cash.
Both on deed/title.
Thank you
Hello Camille, without reviewing anything and for educational purposes only, the likelihood is that the husband on title would have full rights to the house. Even if he weren’t on title, if this is a FL homestead, he may still have 100% rights for life under FL homestead laws. More needs to be determined in a consultation setting.
Best, Steve Gibbs, Esq.
Hello. Thank you for this website. My brother passed away with no will 2 years ago. He owned property in FL. His wife wanted nothing to do with it. The estate has not been settled in FL, now the spouse passed away. My brother has no children, his spouse had one, who is sadly disabled,
My brothers and sisters don’t know if we are entitled to the home in FL? How do we or should we attempt to file paperwork to redirect my brothers house in FL to us? Thank you
Hello. Thank you for this website. My brother passed away with no will 2 years ago. He owned property in FL. His wife wanted nothing to do with it. The estate has not been settled in FL, now the spouse passed away. My brother has no children, his spouse had one, who is sadly disabled,
My brothers and sisters don’t know if we are entitled to the home in FL? How do we or should we attempt to file paperwork to redirect my brothers house in FL to us? Thank you
Hello Ann Marie, unfortunately, matters like this require estate litigation which is something I don’t handle. You’ll need to connect with someone who handles these cases. I recommend search for an estate and probate litigator.
Best, Steve Gibbs, Esq.
My mom left 5 children her house on a quit claim deed. If one on the children gets married and passes away, does their spouse automatically inherits his share of the deed. Are does the property stay in ownership with the remaining 4 children.
Hi there, I just came across your article and I am curious to know. Do these intestacy laws apply when the children are adults and solely the offspring of the surviving spouse and the deceased spouse and there are no step children involved?
Hello Ida, your question would require a consultation to examine the deed and the overall situation.
Best, Steve Gibbs, Esq.
Hello Jonah, the general answer to your question for educational purposes only is yes. Stepchildren aren’t recognized as legal children for intestacy purposes unless legally adopted.
Best, Steve Gibbs, Esq.
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