Legal Question in Family Law in Washington

Unwanted property willed to resident.

I was taking care of my grandmother for a couple of years in her mobile home, and when I was gone to work one day she fell and broke her hip, and then I stayed in her trailer while she lived with my uncle. She told me when she dies that she was going to leave her mobile home to me, although I told her I didn't want it. She died of pneumonia a couple of years ago, and sure enough, she left me the mobile home. Not sure what to do, I've been staying in the trailer since while my uncle came by a couple of times to gather stuff of hers. Finally he brought me the will and papers to put it in my name, but I still didn't want the mobile home and so I put the papers in a drawer and forgot about it for about a year. Now I'm moving out, and realized that I don't know if I have to put the trailer in my name in order to sell or get rid of it.

My questions; am I obligated to keep the trailer, and if I get rid of it to some junk company (the trailer is in bad condition and has been for a while) or sell it or whatever, do I have to put it in my name first to sell it since I have all the paperwork indicating it was left to me? How long is a will good for before it's null and void, or is there a time limit?


Asked on 7/21/05, 12:54 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Christopher Steuart IT Forensics, Inc.

Re: Unwanted property willed to resident.

I don't generally work with the registration or transfer of trailers. I presume it was registered in her name with Department of Licensing (as if it was a motor vehicle). You have not discussed it being attached or affixed to land. You can try to title the trailer in your name with the will. If the DOL won't take the will to allow you to register it, you may have to probate the will and get what are called Letters Testamentary, with that you can effect the directives of the will. I am guessing you are named as the Executor or Personal Representative. There is no expiration date on a will. On the other hand if you don't want the property and don't accept it you don't have any obligation legally to take the property from the will.

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Answered on 7/21/05, 9:06 am


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