I was called to look at a house, Dad dies and the house froze up so needs plumbing,water heater,clean up etc,I love these houses.Dad died with no will,adult daughter thinks it is hers because she is oldest child, sorry doesnt work that way.I asked and was told she has a brother but he is a minor.Often on deals like this my attorney can avoid probate based on the house is so low in value it is clear that wont be owing an inheritance tax so title provides me with a policy.No idea what happens with a minor child involved?Any thoughts? --98.98.xx.xxx

Escrow until 18? --174.240.xxx.xxx

I'd find another house. This could take a year or more to straighten out. Especially if these aren't sophisticated people. --172.58.x.xxx

I wouldn't touch this - the minor child might object and he has standing even if underage. This is one of those deals I always talk about - a family about to be torn apart over a single worthless house. --173.18.xx.xxx

lARRY -Good point about dad being married, i will ask,may be divorced and remarried.WMH-I love these kind of deals, i will be the only one interested or knowing about it at this point so i dont pass that up and if i solve the problem i get the deal.At this point they wanted 50k and it is worth about 150k when repaired so it is worth my time and effort. --98.98.xx.xxx

I have no doubt that Ken will make this happen. Ken is a pro at this. --73.19.xxx.xx

That said, the minor might be confusing the value of money easily. In their eyes they just won the lottery and re set for life. The reality, they have a minor windfall. So I expect the biggest headache from the person who doesn't have clue --50.96.xx.xxx

Of course, you do have to first make sure there are no others to lay claim to it. --72.218.xx.xxx

Someone has to be appointed personal representative/administrator with the authority to sign the deed. Perhaps no taxes owed but however New York inheritances are handled, someone has to be in charge through the court system, even without a will. Here, it would be an administrator and a guardian ad litem appointed for the minor. Don't they have to assure the courts that all the decedent's debts & bills have been paid? Don't they have to assure there are no other potential heirs? Don't they have to account for any other assets? --98.237.xxx.xx

Nicole, our concern is getting title insurance and my attorney says if they are selling me a dump for 30k they dont owe inheritance taxes because they arent worth 1 million or whatever the threshhold is. those concerns should be the families,poor people simply dont care about those things.my attorney does have me find someone who knows the family a long time like a cousin who will sign something acknowledging that we have all the heirs that he ever knew of.My attorney is usually anal but we have done about 10 f these over the years with no problems. It also might be a business risk,with the volume of business i give him he might not want me going elsewhere so will take a risk for me he wouldnt for a 1 time deal with someone else --98.98.xx.xxx

Wouldn't the cousin in your scenario become a potential heir? --138.199.xx.xxx

I assume you mean the inheritance taxes, in which case you would be correct. Even if they knew they owed it, they would say piss on the government and dare them to come after it. --73.19.xxx.xx

zero- no a cousin would not be a potential heir if the deceased has a child or children.children are the first heirs,then i think if no children it is either parents or siblings --98.98.xx.xx