Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in Michigan

No will, no probate, house in my name

My father passed away, no will. House was in Dad's and my name with full rights to survivor. No other assets except some household items. $20,000 in debt to credit cards and hospital bills, are we (there are four of us) responsible for his debt? Or am I because I now own the house?

Also, am I right to assume there is nothing going to be probated?

Thank you for your help.


Asked on 2/08/06, 8:06 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

Rochelle Guznack Law Offices of Rochelle E. Guznack, PLLC

Re: No will, no probate, house in my name

Since the house was joint with rights of survivorship, it passes to you by law, you are not responsible for paying your father's bills from proceeds of the house, if any. I cannot tell you if there is or is not an estate to be probated. If your father owned other items of personal property or other real property in his name alone, there is potentially a probate estate, and his expenses, medical and other, would be paid from the assets in the probate estate.

This communication does not establish an attorney-client relationship. It is based on limited information and unverified facts.

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Answered on 2/09/06, 5:25 am


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