Who owns the contents of my parent’s home at the time of their deaths?
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Who owns the contents of my parent’s home at the time of their deaths?
My parents dies withi a week of each other. Their original Will from 13 years ago clearly stated that all property was to be divided among their 4 children, with me as the executrix. In later years, they placed their home and most of their available cash in my eldest sister’s name to avoid taxes. Upon their deaths, legally speaking, does not the home and all of its contents belong to her? My sister says the home is hers but the contents still belongs to the 4 of us.
Asked on July 29, 2012 under Estate Planning, Pennsylvania
Answers:
M.T.G., Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 11 years ago | Contributor
I am so sorry for your loss. It sounds here like your sister is more than willing to have the inside contents of the home designated as personal property of your parents, which it probably would be charachterized by the probate court. Liken the situation to a rental apartment. Some one else owns the property but not the content of the apartment. Work things out here. It will be for the best. Good luck.
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