Mortgage after death (unmarried couple)

[rhymeswithorang]

In 2007, my fiance and I bought a house in Florida together. The title was "joint tenancy with right of survivorship." He recently passed away and I'm just now starting to get the finances in order.

He was the primary borrower of the loan, as his annual salary was higher than mine, but I am on the loan. Will I need to refinance the home under my name? SHOULD I refinance the home? Things are getting hairy between his family and I (typical arguments over possessions). Do I have reason to worry that they might have any claim to my home?

Thanks in advance!

[FlyingRon]

If you like the terms of the existing mortgage there is no reason why you should refinance it. You should take the death certificate or whatever documentation the courthouse wants down there and get the notation that now the property is exclusively yours.

[rhymeswithorang]

What department should I bring it to and what should I ask for when I go down there?

[FlyingRon]

Look in the directory for something like the "Land Records" or "Registrar of Deeds" office or something along those lines.