Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in New Jersey

Re: Heirs inhert home, one heir won't sign real estate contract

You did not specify what are the obligations of the remainder owners. When the Deed giving your aunt the life estate was prepared, were there any provisions or other agreements as to who would be responsible for the operating costs of the house (e.g., insurance, taxes, repairs, etc.)? These are usually expenses paid by the owner, not the tenant. If there were no agreements requiring your aunto to pay these expenses, the 4th owner may be asserting a legitimate claim. Were there any agreements regarding rent to be paid by your aunt? What did her Will say about personal property located in the house? Were there bequests of her property? Again, there may be a legitimate claim that her estate is responsible for storage costs until the house is cleaned out.

I suspect there were no written agreements regarding these matters and that there probably will be some litigation required to resolve these issues. This is somewhat complicated and perhaps we should talk about it, rather than trying to provide a simple answer to a complex question. You can reach me at (973)-377-3313.

Walter