Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in Pennsylvania
My mother recently died and left her house (owned free and clear) to myself and nmy two siblings. I am single, my siblings are both married. Do their spouses own part of the house because they are married to my siblings?
1 Answer from Attorneys
No. However, if your siblings died without making a will, anything that your siblings own will pass to their spouse and children as per the intestacy laws. It is important for your siblings and you to ensure that you all make wills or you come to some agreement as to what is to be done with the property. I am not a fan of this many people owning property unless you and your siblings are able to agree at all times on everything concerning the property. For example, what is to happen to it? Is it to be rented? All of you must sign a lease then. What happens if one of you falls on hard times and does not contribute towards taxes and insurance?
It would be far better for you all to sell the home or if one of you wants it, then buy out the shares of the others. That way, money can be split up and each sibling can do what he or she wants with it..