questions & answers

Question: My father passed away 1/16/2015. His is the only name on his home's deed. There is a reverse mortgage on the house and what is currently owed on the mortgage is more than the house is worth. My name is not on the deed and I don't plan on going to probate to get control of the house. The mortgage company is starting foreclosure. My question: is the estate, and me personally as the executor of the will, legally obligated maintain the homeowners insurance policy until the house is sold at the foreclosure auction which could take 1 to 2 years?

Answer: Even with a reverse mortgage , the decedent's estate technically owns the home. However, to be free of the property and its obligations, including homeowners insurance, a deed in lieu of foreclosure  can be signed by the executor of the estate (on behalf of the heirs) transferring the property back to the lender and avoiding the lender's need to foreclose. See the lender for further details.