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no will- but mom owed on house

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lajk121

Junior Member
What is the name of your state? pennsylvania

My divorced mother recently passed away and I am the oldest of her four children. She had no will and a very modest estate. Basically, she left behind one room full of belongings, a car, and an old, dilapidaded house that no one has lived in or taken care of for at least 10 years. The problem is that she owed on the mortgage for that house and still needed to pay taxes on it. Us, as children, and therefore not named on the mortgage, are unable to find out any financial info regarding that house until we become executor/administrator of the estate. What we are afraid of is that, upon being sworn in, we will then be held legally responsible for paying whatever debts she may have had, especially in dealing with the house.

and, in connection with that- does anyone have to become executor/admistrator or can we (legally) bring this to an end without having to do that?What is the name of your state?
 


seniorjudge

Senior Member
What we are afraid of is that, upon being sworn in, we will then be held legally responsible for paying whatever debts she may have had, especially in dealing with the house.

and, in connection with that- does anyone have to become executor/admistrator or can we (legally) bring this to an end without having to do that?


You need to open a probate estate. That will not make you personally liable for her bills. The house will be sold, as many of the bills will be paid, and y'all will split the proceeds, if any.
 

lajk121

Junior Member
probate estate?

Okay, so what is a probate estate and what specific steps do we have to take to set one up? Do we have to hire a laywer or can we do through the local register of wills, etc...? And what rights does that leave us with as her children? Are we still legally allowed to split up and share her personal belongings?
 

lajk121

Junior Member
And, by the way, the house is very likely not going to sell. It really is that bad. And it's in a very small, very poor town.
 

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