2 entitled sisters demand "their cut" of the youngest sibling's house after their mother passes because Mom helped pay for it: ‘I paid the $80k deposit, and Mom helped with the mortgage’

Advertisement
  • A woman is spending time with her senior mother on their property.
  • [I'm] not giving my siblings a percentage of house our mother lived in

    | 35F bought my first house when I was 23 for me and my mom to live in after renting for many years. I paid the $80k deposit, and my mom helped with the mortgage, paying $300
  • a week while we lived there together. I did this because I didn't want to live alone or pay rent to someone else, which allowed for I to improve my finances.
  • When I moved out at 27 with my husband and later had 3 kids, my mom started paying $450 a week, and I covered the rest of the mortgage, which wasn't much.
  • A woman is having tea with her mother on the porch.
  • Now my mom has passed away, and my two sisters (38 and 40) think they should get part of the house. I don't agree. They say since I already own another house, I don't need it, and they
  • want to split it three ways and rent it out. I've said no because my husband and I do not want to rent it out as It hurts me to think of someone else in my mothers house and I know they couldn't afford the mortgage and their own bills.
  • Because of this, they've started arguing, calling me selfish because they think I already have "everything" and they don't. But I have not spent over $200k on that house just to give it to someone else for free.
  • They also believe that since house prices have gone up significantly that I'm to earn an extra couple hundred thousand which I might but I always paid for the property taxes and any maintenance needed.
  • However, I do know my mother spent her money on this house over the years and are forever grateful she could help me out so I offered each $5k which is
  • all I can spare after having to pay for most of my mother's funeral and headstone. But they believe it's not enough and are continuing to argue with me about this.
  • LITTLE UPDATE TOO: My middle sister called again, saying I'm being greedy and that her daughter should get a share too. I love my niece as she's my only niece and very special to me but
  • I still said no. In my mind, she's always welcome to stay at my home or the other house anytime once everything is sorted. But she won't receive any percentage of the house because her mother didn't contribute anything.
  • I told my sister to stop calling about it, or she wouldn't be welcome at my house. I don't want my children hearing or seeing their mum and aunt arguing nor do I want my niece
  • to hear. She said that was fine because she wouldn't want to visit someone so greedy anyway. JUST FOR NEW COMERS AS I KNOW SOME ARE CONFUSED:
  • - I'm solely on the deed - No arrangement was made - Mother paid well below market rent. 2 houses down just listed their house for 650 weekly
  • A woman is enjoying the afternoon with her senior mother.
  • MikotoSuohsWife Wait a minute. You bought this house and its in your name presumably and they want it why? Because your mom lived there? Is this house entirely in your name? Did your mom have any stake in the game?
  • OP Motor_Aerie1485 Yes, that's why they want it. They think they're entitled to it because she paid half and lived in it, so they see it as partly hers. But the house is fully in my name. Honestly, I always thought of it as my mom's house and never really saw it any other way. But I won't ever say that to them.
  • MikotoSuohsWife Then absolutely NTA. The fact is you bought the house. Name and mortgage entirely in your name. All risk on you and you final owner. Your mother at that point was effectively more like a tenant. Had she had her name on deed and mortgage, I would say at BEST your sisters may be entitled to a 1/3rd of the portion of what your mother paid into the home. You also retaining 1/3rd since you're also a living relative/descendant. Idk how inheritance laws may work where you live. But no.
  • OP Motor_Aerie1485 I agree even more than ever now.
  • NTA. Down-Right-Mystical If you hadn't bought that house your mother would have continued renting, so the money she spent on the mortgage would still not be there, anyway, and there would be nothing for your siblings to ask for. At least, that's the way I look at it. The money your mother spent was the same as paying rent, it just so happens that you were the landlord. It's your house, do with it what you wish.
  • OP Motor_Aerie1485 That's how I see it. Thank you. Needed clarification from unbiased people as all I've heard these past weeks was I was in the wrong and began doubting myself.
  • Usual-Canary-7764 Tell them to go and ask their landlords for partial ownership in the houses they rent(ed). Once they get that stake you will be willing to listen to their proposal on your house. Your mom paid money that you put towards the mortgage (like most landlords do) but she was essentially just renting at under market value. NTA
  • Sofa_Queen Yes, I have. My husband and I bought his parent's house after his mom died. The dad lived there for a while, then remarried and moved out. Husband's two sisters moved in, RENT FREE, for about 3 years. Then we decided to sell the house. Now, we paid the dad full price, paid for all the maintenance and taxes, for over 5 years. When we bought the house, it needed a TON of maintenance. Sisters moved out, we sold the house. That's when the four siblings came with their hands out, expecting
  • OP Motor_Aerie1485 Cannot believe they asked for money after living there rent free. That's worse then ever thought could happen.
  • Off2xtremes Legally, in California at least, if the house is in your name, end of story. Your mom paid rent to live there. That's an expense, not equity. Even in a divorce it would be considered your separate property.
  • camkats Nta it's not your mothers house. It's yours bottom line
  • kalixanthippe Careful with that, as one may "holiday" and never leave. Happens a LOT in families.
  • Fancy-Still-4297 NTA and you have greedy unprincipled sisters. you took all the risk and depending on COL It is likely that your mother paid below market rent - and rent does not build equity. and you paid your mothers funeral costs. your sisters owe you money. don't pay them one penny.

Tags

Scroll Down For The Next Article