Does My Mother-In-Law Own Half Her House?

[StocktonLad70]

My mother-in-law has just found out she's not on the deeds to the house she's lived in with her husband for the past 50 years.

There is no mortgage, and she has never worked (don't know if that's relevant)

If her husband dies tomorrow, what happens the house?

Thanks

[tamborine]

divorce divides all their assets, generally 50-50 or more according at courts discretion.

[tamborine]

boxy, some meanies to smell the coffee!

[tamborine]

^need

[whiskeryron]

Unfortunately it is not legally necessary for anyone to make a will. If your fil does not want to make a will he cannot be forced to do so. This makes it very awkward for his wife & any other dependents if he should die first. I can only suggest that you explain to him that it is a necessary precaution that his wife should be added to his house deeds asap.

WR.

[EDDIE51]

Very important to get her on the deeds with the provision that the survivor can live in the house for the rest of their lives. This ensures they both have a place to live and stops the house being sold to pay care fees if one of them ever needs to go into a care home.

[StocktonLad70]

Thanks again everyone. They are both being urged to sort things out legally by the kids. Lets just say, some people want it sorting more than others!!

[tamborine]

If the property is worth more than £325k, Inheritance tax becomes liable. A Will leaving same to surviving spouse saves IT.

[Peter Pedant]

how can people rely on chance and luck ?

get them to make a will !

[themas]

Why on earth would they not make wills? They should also, of course, put her name on the title deeds. But if he won't she should get her matrimonial home rights recorded by the Land Registry on the land certificate.

As she has lived there for 50 years with him she must have acquired a beneficial interest in the house regardless of the legal title but it would be so easy to avoid her having to go to the cost and stress of getting this sorted out after his death by doing the sensible thing - put her on the title & both make wills.