Legal Question in Real Estate Law in New Jersey

Co-signed house where one signer passes away

What happens when a couple living together, but not married, have a co-signed house and one passes away? NJ does not recognize common-law marriage and unfortunately there was no will. I assume half goes to the living co-signer, but what happens with the other half?

Thank you for your time on this.


Asked on 6/02/09, 8:36 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys

Richard Vallario Richard W. Vallario Law Office

Re: Co-signed house where one signer passes away

The answer depends on whether you are named as a co-OWNER on the Deed. If so, there are 2 possibilities, depending on how title was set up. If there is a right of survivorship, the living co-owner has full title. Otherwise, the Estate of the deceased co-owner takes her interest. If you are in my area, you can make an appointment at no cost to have this reviewed.

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Answered on 6/03/09, 9:03 am
Miriam Jacobson Retired from practice of law

Re: Co-signed house where one signer passes away

It depends on what you mean by "co-signer".

You should have the Deed reviewed to find out who had legal title and how it was titled between the two owners. If the property was owned as "joint liabtenants with right of survivorship", the couple do not have to be married for the surviving co-owner to become the sole owner.

If the co-signer means only that one of the people co-signed the mortgage papers but was not named in the Deed, that means the co-signer agreed with the lender that the co-signer would be as fully responsible to pay off the mortgage as the owner of the property was.

This response is not legal advice, since I do not have all of the information that would be required, and I do not have a representation agreement with you.

* If the answers to your question confirm that you have a valid issue or worthwhile claim, your next step should almost always be to establish a dialog with a lawyer who can provide specific advice to you. Contact a lawyer in your county or township.

* Another reason for contacting a lawyer is that it is often impossible to give a good answer in the Internet Q&A format without having more information. The unique circumstances of your situation and things that you may not have thought to mention in your question may completely change the answer. If you want to be sure that you have a complete answer to your question and an understanding of what that answer means, establish a connection with a lawyer who practices in the area of your concern.

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Answered on 6/02/09, 11:27 pm


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