Im not sure where to post this, but I guess I'll start here.

[brandonga]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? GEORGIA

I have a very confusing situation that I desperately need advice on involving a piece of property. As stated in the subject im probably not posting this in the right forum, but I looked it over and didnt think it fit anywhere else and a search and google search have returned no similar situations. I'll explain this the best way I know how and hopefully someone can help me....

I have a first cousin who was adopted by his his/my grandmother. He is legally my Uncle bu my first cousin by birth. When my grandmother died (almost 20 years ago) she left him some land and a home. Our grandfather (married) is still alive and the terms of the will were 'Jason owns the land and home but the Grandfather gets to live there until he dies and Jason is responsible for the property taxes. I cant say this for certain but im pretty sure I've seen a deed to this land with his name on it. His mother (sister by law) had paid the taxes every since then and over the years the Cousin turned into a junkie. She passed away five years ago and I've been paying the taxes every since. Grandpop is near the end of the road and I need to find out what rights I have to this land, if I can get control of it, etc. We havent seen the person in question for almost two years. I know he's alive, but I havent seen him in person in that long. Currently we pay taxes with a homestead exemption so it isnt that bad, but when pops passes it will almost triple. Jason has never, and will never be able to pay these taxes. When his mom passed he got 80K cash and was homeless in less than 6 months. The land and home are only worth about 100k. He's going to lose the land, or even worse, sell it and blow the money (very unlikely hed be able to sell it, he can barely function) ... My grandpop desperately wants me to have control of it so nothing happens to it ... but I dont know if I even have any right to the land, or if there is any recourse that can be taken. Any advise would be appreciated. thanks.

 

[adjusterjack]

I have a very confusing situation that I desperately need advice on involving a piece of property. As stated in the subject im probably not posting this in the right forum, but I looked it over and didnt think it fit anywhere else and a search and google search have returned no similar situations.

This is as good a place as any. We all read all the forums anyway, so keep ALL your discussion to this thread and don't start any others.

I have a first cousin who was adopted by his his/my grandmother. He is legally my Uncle bu my first cousin by birth. When my grandmother died (almost 20 years ago) she left him some land and a home. Our grandfather (married) is still alive and the terms of the will were 'Jason owns the land and home but the Grandfather gets to live there until he dies and Jason is responsible for the property taxes.

That's called a "life estate."

Read the basics at:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Life_estate

I cant say this for certain but im pretty sure I've seen a deed to this land with his name on it.

OK, before you go any further, you need to BE CERTAIN. How you do that is by going to the county recorder of the county where the property is located and get copies of the deeds going back to when your grandparents first got the property and move forward until the present so you can make sure of the ownership and whether or not there is a life estate deed.

You will just be spinning your wheels unless you have that paperwork in front of you when you come back for more discussion.

My grandpop desperately wants me to have control of it so nothing happens to it ... but I dont know if I even have any right to the land, or if there is any recourse that can be taken. Any advise would be appreciated. thanks.

1 - Get copies of the deeds.

2 - Get grandpop to a lawyer so he can do some estate planning and write up a proper will if he wants you to have the property.

Otherwise, after he dies, it's too late and you likely get nothing and all the money you've paid all these years will have been a gift to somebody else.

So many people come here after somebody's death because they've been disinherited because the dead person didn't do what he/she should have done.

Don't end up like those people.