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Can Mom Leave a Home to a Daughter but Not Grandchildren?
Benjamin E. Long, a highly skilled estate planning and probate attorney with Schlagel Long, LLC in Olathe, KS, specializes in crafting personalized legal solutions for complex family situations. With a keen focus on estate and business planning, along with litigation expertise, he adeptly addresses challenges like property distribution and probate avoidance.
In his insightful blog post dated July 7, 2020, Benjamin discusses the intricacies of passing down property without involving probate court. He presents two primary options: an enhanced life estate deed and a living trust, each with unique advantages and considerations. This article exemplifies his ability to simplify complex legal scenarios, making them understandable and accessible to his clients.
Expertise
Benjamin’s expertise shines through in his discussion of a specific case: a mother wishing to leave her home to her youngest daughter, with contingencies for its eventual transfer to her other daughters. He outlines possible approaches, including the use of a testamentary trust within a will, the pros and cons of an enhanced life estate deed, and the strategic use of a living trust. His ability to devise tailored solutions, considering each family's unique dynamics and needs, is a hallmark of his practice.
Education
A Kansas State University alumnus with a B.S. in Biology, Benjamin also holds a J.D. from Washburn University School of Law. His legal acumen is further evidenced by his induction into the Order of the Barristers and his recognition as a Super Lawyer Rising Star and recipient of the Martindale-Hubbell Client Distinction Award.
Expertise
Beyond the courtroom and the classroom where he teaches as an adjunct faculty member, Benjamin dedicates himself to coaching the Kansas State University Mock Trial Team. His commitment to legal education and mentoring the next generation of lawyers reflects his passion for the law and justice.
This concise biography, tailored to his blog post, underscores Benjamin Long's expertise in estate planning and probate law, highlighting his ability to navigate complex legal waters with clarity and precision.
Options for Passing Down Property Without Probate Court
“If you want a legal plan that avoids probate court, there are two options: first, an enhanced life estate deed, and second a living trust. Each has its pros and cons.”
There are numerous ways to accomplish distributing property, according to specific wishes. A woman with three grown daughters faced a problem with passing down the family home. She wanted to give it to the youngest daughter, who has taken care of and is closest to her. However, she also wanted to be sure that, if something happened to this daughter, the house would go to her two other daughters and not the close daughter’s adult children.
With proper planning, this can be done, as described in the article “Mom needs contingency plan to pass house title” from mySanAntonio.
Last Will and Testament
One way is to rely on a last will and testament. The will would state that she leaves the house to the youngest daughter, under terms of a testamentary trust inside the will. The daughter is permitted to use, enjoy, and live in the house during her lifetime, as the beneficiary of the testamentary trust.
The two older daughters would be named as the secondary beneficiaries of the trust. When the younger daughter dies, the trust distributes the house to the older daughters.
The plan will need to be prepared by a qualified estate planning attorney and it will likely be probated. This is not a terrible process if the will is professionally written, properly signed by the mother and two witnesses, includes an executor and a trustee and has clear instructions about her wishes.
An estate planning attorney can prepare it correctly.
Enhanced Life Estate Deed
If the goal includes avoiding probate, there are other options. One is an enhanced life estate deed, and another is a living trust. The enhanced life estate deed specifies that the woman is retaining a life estate, that is, the right to use, enjoy and occupy her home, for the rest of her life. The document specifies that when she dies, the home goes to her youngest daughter. The owner would also want to specify that she has the right to change her mind at any time.
This approach avoids probate. However, there is a downside. If the youngest daughter dies before the mother, then the mother will need to take legal action to cancel the deed and issue a new one to the two older daughters. If the daughter outlives her mother, once she inherits the house, there will be no way to have it transferred to the other sisters in the future (unless the daughter chooses to do so).
Living Trust
A living trust provides the detailed control allowed in a will, but the trust, which must be properly created and funded, avoids going to probate. The trust would let the mother live in the home, and when she dies, the title to the house stays in trust with her youngest daughter, who is able to live in the house. However, she never becomes the owner of the house. The trust would continue to own the house. The trust would specify that when the daughter dies, the house goes to the two older daughters. To be extra safe, it should also specify what she would want to happen if one or both of the older daughters dies.
None of these is simple, but they are all feasible. Speak with an experienced estate planning attorney.
Reference: mySanAntonio (June 8, 2020) “Mom needs contingency plan to pass house title”
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