who's cottage

[dadio]

Parent signed ownership of cottages in northern wisconsin over to me.I have a quit claim deed that states ,the granters have a life estate in property for the rest of their lives.We know they are staying on property for all their lives and this is great.Our problem is if one becomes ill will a nursing home be able to go after property as this was signed 3 years ago.We would like to improve property but are weary to put money in it. This is not their primary residence but a summer family cottage that we want to see stay that way.Is there a length of time th they can no longer come after cottage? thanks

 

[loku]

Property transferred 3 years ago.

Generally, property transferred within a few years before the person goes into the nursing home, is suspect and can be recovered by the home. Probably in most states, 3 years is long enough to avoid that rule.

But probably the only way you can be confident enough of the title to invest time and money is to confer with an attorney familiar with elder law in your county or state. You would not necessarily engage the attorney to handle any matters for you, probably you could arrange for a half-hour (or hour) conference at a fee which would be well worth paying.