Could I Legally Own This House ?

[Mark2626]

I had been living with my best friend in California for about 3 months. She has recently passed away. She had no next of kin other than her father. He has been making the mortgage payment. The house is Willed to him but he does not want to be bothered with probate proceedings, etc.. It is to much trouble he says. He would rather let the house go into foreclosure. He says if I want to continue making the payment the house could be mine. He said he would sign papers or documents turning the house over to me if it was in his name, which it is'nt. Bring me any legal papers and I will sign them he said. Is there any legal way for me to own this house ?

 

[lwpat]

You can let it go into foreclosure and buy it at the tax sale or you can open probate and purchase it from the estate.

 

[seniorjudge]

You can let it go into foreclosure and buy it at the tax sale or you can open probate and purchase it from the estate.

Q: He said he would sign papers or documents turning the house over to me if it was in his name, which it is'nt. Bring me any legal papers and I will sign them he said. Is there any legal way for me to own this house ?

A: Yes; expanding on lwpat's answer: Hire a probate lawyer. You open the estate (e.g., as a creditor) or pa opens the estate (as heir); then you can buy it from the estate. Don't wait for foreclosure or tax sale.