What are my rights if any?

[Bates]

I live in Massachusetts. I'm 30 years old and have lived in my mom's house my entire life with the exception of a brief time when I first got married (20 months). My husband and I moved back into the house to help out my mom when my dad died and have been here since (6 years). This house was given to my mom by an aunt and she had her sister's name put on the deed so that it couldn't be taken by the state (something to do with being single with kids and on aid back in the 60's). My aunt has since passed and her half of the house went to a cousin. My mother has yet to leave anyone her right to live in the house. My question is this: if my mom dies tomorrow with no legal papers drawn up will I have the right to remain in this house for the rest of my life under squatter's rights? I have siblings but they wouldn't mind if I stayed here. Also my brother lives in this house too. Would he have the right to live here as well? Just wondering because I have health issues and can't afford to live anywhere else and my mom is now ill.

 

[happy&lucky]

You should have though about this years ago....

If you transfer any property from a sick relative usualy within the last 3 years it will be voided by the state, if the sick person needs government help, medicaid, welfare etc.

Your mom doesnt own the house, her sister and cousin do, and it up to them as THE LANDLORDS to evcit you, sign a lease with you, or whatever.

You have no rights since you have no lease. PERIOD!

Dont even think for a minute you do, cause you dont.

 

[Bates]

Actually, my mom does own the house with my cousin equally.
Are you saying that her share won't automatically go to her children?

my mom is not on aid now - that was back in the 60's after she divorced her first husband and was left with 6 kids to raise. The house was a gift from her aunt because no one would rent to a woman with 6 kids back then. her name is on the deed along with the name of my dead aunt.
I have not been living here free either - I have been paying rent (since the day I turned 18!) and it has been documented each month by my sister who is a professional book keeper.
my aunt never had anything to do with this house except for her name being on the deed and my cousin has no active part in it either. It is my mom who lives here, pays the taxes and pays for the upkeep. Being that she just turned 65 she's on a fixed income. Could she ever sue my cousin for retro pay for her share of the taxes, etc? That question just popped into my mind because my cousin is a bit of a you know what and won't even discuss th matter of the house with my mom as advised by her lawyer. Does it matter that I have lived in this house my whole life as some sort of squatter's rights? Too many questions!!!

 

[Aardvark]

Would the 1/2-owner cousin willingly sign over his/her interest in the property? If so, while your mother is still living, why not have her ask the cousin to execute a quit claim deed so it doesn't eventually become an issue to your mother's heirs?

 

[Bates]

When my aunt died she said she would but now she refuses to even discuss the issue because her lawyer told her not to. I suppose verbal agreements mean nothing these days too right? There were witnesses if that makes any difference.