Will I have to move after living on my late mother’s land for 20 years?
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Will I have to move after living on my late mother’s land for 20 years?
Our mother died 2 1/2 years ago but did not leave a Will. I had 4 sisters but 2 died before our mom. My older sister is P.R. and wants to sell all the land but I have lived next door to my mom, on a part of the land, for 20 years. She owned the land but I have been paying taxes on it since she died. Will I have to move or can I keep the small piece of land that I live on?
Asked on July 16, 2016 under Estate Planning, South Carolina
Answers:
M.D., Member, California and New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 7 years ago | Contributor
I'm afraid that unless you can work out an arrangement to keep the piece of land that you live on, you have no rights to this land, even of you paid the taxes on it (although you might ask for a reimbursement of the taxes that you paid). The PR has the right to sell the land if it is in the best interests of the estate. That having been said, since your mother died without a Will, as 1 of her children, you are entitled to a share in your mother's estate. Perhaps, you can relinquish your right to any sale proceeds in excha nge for being able to keep the landon which you live. If not, you can use your share of the proceeds to possibly buy another piece of land.
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