Legal Question in Real Estate Law in Pennsylvania

My father in law created a quit claim deed, naming himself and his girlfriend as the grantors "for her life on the condition that he predeceases her"... "with the remainder interest of her life estate" to his 2 sons. My father in law just died. Does this now make her the full owner until she dies, then the remainder interest OF THE CONDO only go to the sons, or does the wording LIFE ESTATE refer to her entire estate? This is worded SO strangely! Thank you for any insights.


Asked on 6/02/17, 9:04 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

Miriam Jacobson Retired from practice of law

Condolences on the death of your father in law.

A life estate means that as long as his girlfriend lives, she has an ownership interest in the condo, but she does not have the right to sell or give it away or mortgage it. Upon her death, it becomes the property of your late father-in-law's two sons. A life estate is often used to provide for a spouse or a close friend to have the use of a home during lifetime and then to pass the property to children.

THIS RESPONSE IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE, SINCE I DO NOT HAVE ALL OF THE INFORMATION THAT WOULD BE REQUIRED, AND I DO NOT HAVE A REPRESENTATION AGREEMENT WITH YOU.

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Answered on 6/03/17, 8:05 am


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