Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in New Jersey

Re: realestate

The first step is the administration of each of your parent's respective estates. You probably could pay the property taxes now, especially if there is any danger of the taxes becoming overdue and the property being lost to a tax lien sale.

But in order to deal with property of deceased, an estate must be opened and administered before transferring any property out of the estate.

Re: realestate

Miriam is partially correct, and the response requires the answers to several questions: What was the order of deaths, or was it simultaneously? Did either parent have a Will? Both? Are there other children? What were the dates of death, and when are the taxes due? How do you know you will inherit the house. What other assets are involved, if any? How were assets titled, individually or jointly? My suggestion is to pay the taxes personally (lend the money to the estate), get Will(s) probated or an Administration(s) started. Without answers to my questions, I cannot tell you if you need one or 2 estate proceedings. If you need help, contact me directly, as I do this regularly, and may be able to save you from doing something in duplicate, that you might not need to do.