After a permanently disabling stroke, Ann wants to add on to her daughter Letty’s house and live long term with her.  Ann plans to use part of the money she clears from selling her own house.  Ann’s son Manny is worried that Letty is taking advantage of Ann to get a bigger house she can’t afford herself. 

Manny wants to make sure Letty will pay for the addition or at least have to pay most of the cost back after Ann passes away.  After all, when Ann isn’t using it anymore, why should Letty just get to keep it for nothing?

Ann sees it differently.  She thinks Letty’s whole family is paying by letting her live there and tear up a side of their house to put on her extra space.  She’s sure that Letty wouldn’t even want an addition if Ann weren’t going to live there.  In fact, Letty is a bit worried that adding on will make the house too big for the neighborhood and hard to sell later.

Ann can explain to Manny why she definitely does not want Letty to repay the cost of the addition.  Mother and son talking now will be far better than Letty and Manny arguing about it after Ann is gone and can no longer explain why she thinks more will be left for both kids to inherit if she lives with Letty. 

Parents and siblings need to work together to balance and understand the real situation when life changes how things work.     As attorneys, we help families sort through their options and consider new ways to talk and think about new arrangements.  If you wish consider adapting your own family’s plans to new changes, call our office at (815) 436-1996 to set an appointment. 

©2012 Gruber Law Office, Ltd.