Legal Question in Elder Law in Florida

home equity loans asset based

my mother is 89yrs. old. she lives in dade county florida. without my knowledge, she took out a home equity loan against the value of her condominium, for 150,000 dollars. my mother's income is only 1500 a month social security.She is not of sound mind and has depleted all her other assets to pay the 1000 dollars a month interest only payments! Are there any ways that I can resolve this situation with the bank before she loses her home ???


Asked on 6/15/07, 9:25 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys

Johm Smith tom's

Re: home equity loans asset based

Mr. Jay has made the same suggestion I would make. She apparently should not be left in the same place on her own.

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Answered on 6/17/07, 9:45 pm
Scott R. Jay Law Offices of Scott R. Jay

Re: home equity loans asset based

NOTE: This communication is not intended as and should not be interpreted as legal advice. Rather, it is intended solely as a general discussion of legal principles. You should not rely on or take action based on this communication without first presenting ALL relevant details to a competent attorney in your jurisdiction and then receiving the attorney's individualized advice for you. By reading the "Response" to your question or comment, you agree that the opinion expressed is not intended to, nor does it, create any attorney-client relationship, nor does it constitute legal advice to any person reviewing such nformation, nor will it be considered an attorney-client privileged communication. If you do not agree, then stop right here, and do not read any further.

The loan will have to be repaid. Your mother took the money and there is most definitely a mortgage against her condominium. Unless you can prove that she was incompetent at the time of executing the mortgage, and are able to convince a court that the mortgage should be set aside, it is a lien against her unit. Perhaps you can track where the monies were deposited and whether or not monies still exist. Depending on when she borrowed the monies, that is a large sum to use in a short period of time.

You might wish to consider refinancing the mortgage if a better loan is available. Alternatively, a reverse mortgage might be adviseable. I would suggest she meets with a qualified real estate attorney to discuss her options. Recently, I had a somewhat similar matter and I worked with the elderly client to sell her condominium, pay off her mortgage and use the proceeds to live in an assisted living facility. Perhaps, this might be the answer for your mother.

Scott R. Jay, Esq.

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Answered on 6/16/07, 2:06 am


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