What is the name of your state? California.
I'm not sure if this is the right category. Please forward this question to the appropriate category if necessary.
My wife and I are going to help my 20 year old stepson to move into his own apartment. His history has been quite troubled. Because neither he nor my wife work, the landlord wants me to sign the 6 month lease with my stepson as the occupant. I have substantial assets, both separate and community property. If, for instance, my stepson has a party and someone dies of a drug overdose and the family sues, do I have liability exposure because I am legally the tenant? If so, would it reduce or eliminate my exposure if we make my stepson the tenant and I pay the whole 6 months rent in advance, which the landlord would insist on if I’m not the tenant?
I'm not sure if this is the right category. Please forward this question to the appropriate category if necessary.
My wife and I are going to help my 20 year old stepson to move into his own apartment. His history has been quite troubled. Because neither he nor my wife work, the landlord wants me to sign the 6 month lease with my stepson as the occupant. I have substantial assets, both separate and community property. If, for instance, my stepson has a party and someone dies of a drug overdose and the family sues, do I have liability exposure because I am legally the tenant? If so, would it reduce or eliminate my exposure if we make my stepson the tenant and I pay the whole 6 months rent in advance, which the landlord would insist on if I’m not the tenant?