I am in serious need of advice because at this point, I don't know what the truth is. The case is in Maryland.
My great grandmother died in 1978 without a will. At the time, my grandmother and great uncle were living there taking care of her. They continued to live there after her death. My great uncle died later having never married or had any children. My grandmother continued to live there until her death in 2004. She had a will which covered another house she owned in another neighborhood. My mom is the executor of her will and we are both at wits end about what is going to happen with my great grandmother's house.
The problem is, my great grandmother had another daughter who died 10 years before she did (1968). Her two children never spoke to my family after that moment. Several lawyers have told us that her two children are entitled to a half of the house but based on when my great grandmother died in 1978. Our lawyer says that they are entitled to half but based on the value now in 2006 and that we have to sell it. We can't buy them out if we wanted to. In addition, the two children to date (14 months later) haven't responded to any letter our last lawyer sent which our new laywer says their portion would go to the State then!
My mom and I are a wreck about this because, emotionally, we don't feel they should get anything but if they are due something, we feel it should be based on when my great grandmother died in 1978. Another lawyer said that because my great aunt died before my great grandmother that her two children shouldn't be due anything.
I know because there wasn't a will this is tricky but would just love to get some finite answers because all we are getting is "this is what I think it is but I have to look into it more". As I said, we are a wreck. My grandmother left two mentally challenged relatives behind that my mom is guardian for now and if these two "cousins" who disowned US are due half of the current value of the house, that is really going to hurt my mom, aunt and uncle.
Thank you for any advice.
My great grandmother died in 1978 without a will. At the time, my grandmother and great uncle were living there taking care of her. They continued to live there after her death. My great uncle died later having never married or had any children. My grandmother continued to live there until her death in 2004. She had a will which covered another house she owned in another neighborhood. My mom is the executor of her will and we are both at wits end about what is going to happen with my great grandmother's house.
The problem is, my great grandmother had another daughter who died 10 years before she did (1968). Her two children never spoke to my family after that moment. Several lawyers have told us that her two children are entitled to a half of the house but based on when my great grandmother died in 1978. Our lawyer says that they are entitled to half but based on the value now in 2006 and that we have to sell it. We can't buy them out if we wanted to. In addition, the two children to date (14 months later) haven't responded to any letter our last lawyer sent which our new laywer says their portion would go to the State then!
My mom and I are a wreck about this because, emotionally, we don't feel they should get anything but if they are due something, we feel it should be based on when my great grandmother died in 1978. Another lawyer said that because my great aunt died before my great grandmother that her two children shouldn't be due anything.
I know because there wasn't a will this is tricky but would just love to get some finite answers because all we are getting is "this is what I think it is but I have to look into it more". As I said, we are a wreck. My grandmother left two mentally challenged relatives behind that my mom is guardian for now and if these two "cousins" who disowned US are due half of the current value of the house, that is really going to hurt my mom, aunt and uncle.
Thank you for any advice.
