Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in Texas

deadbeat cousin

My uncle was named executor of my

grandfathers will, he never got it

probated, heasked me to deal with

the sale of my grandparents house.

Uncle is dead now, his wife along with

uncle's sisters gave me POA

for any legal matters concerning estate.

problem:A cousin is living in the house

rent free

and has not paid taxes for over ten

years and refuses to vacate... I filed for

eviction the

courts ruled on his side because one of

the heirs (his mom) gave him

permission to live there, that was 10 or

so yrs ago... my cousin

believes he should get the house.. Is

there anyway or anything we can do to

legally sell the house without one of the

heirs (his mom)consent? Everyone else

has given me POA. and I would like to

sell the house and distribute the money

to remaining heirs...How can I become

sole owner or get deed to house in my

name to sell it? I just want this thing

that is

tearing our family apart to be done

with... I got lawyer with my own money,

he was no help, what can I do?

thank you,

M Bednar


Asked on 12/05/06, 2:54 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
James Grissom Law Office of James P. Grissom

Re: deadbeat cousin

Could be the reason the lawyer was no help is because this situation is all messed up. The POA you have has little or no authority in this estate matter. Apparently the will was never probated and it's probably too late now. All heirs, including children and grandchildren of heirs, now own an undivided share of the property. It might cost more to untangle this than the property's worth.

Read more
Answered on 12/05/06, 4:14 pm


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