Legal Question in Real Estate Law in Connecticut

I am a patent lawyer in NY. My father bought a burial plot in Hartford 30 years ago in the Beth Israel Synagogue (West Hartford) cemetery intended for me. There is no actual designation in the synagogue records as to who was intended to be buried there. I do not want to use that plot. My father is deceased. The written cemetery rules provide that the plot cannot be sold, but further provides that the Synagogue will accept a donation of same from the "owner/member." The "owner/member" is defined as the person who purchased the plot. I am thus told by the chairman of the cemetery committee that there is now no opportunity for me to donate the plot back to the Synagogue, since I am not the member/owner. I am told that the only option is for some family member to use the plot at some point. But title must vest SOMEWHERE. I presume it passed by operation of law to my father's estate, and thus to his heirs (my brother and me). Can it be legal for the Synagogue to insist that the plot be used by a family member or sit unused (potentially) in perpetuity?


Asked on 7/31/12, 1:49 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Linda Subbloie Linda A. Subbloie, Esq.

My first thought is whether your father signed a "contract" when he bought the plot. Then I would look at the contract to see what it says. He must have signed something.

I would start there.

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Answered on 7/31/12, 4:21 pm


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