Can I stay in my mother's house after she dies?

Asked by: Kade Sanford  |  Last update: July 7, 2025
Score: 4.1/5 (25 votes)

In broad strokes, yes. However, depending on your relationship to the new legal owner of the home, your mileage may vary, so to speak. A wise place to start is usually to consult with an experienced planning attorney who understands the intricacies of contesting wills and other estate documents in California.

Can I live in my parents' house after they pass away?

You have every right to live in the house as per the will as well as succession. No one can prevent you from residing the house.

Can you live in a deceased person's house?

Yes, But it's Time to Start Making Other Arrangements

However, if one beneficiary lives in the property to the exclusion of others who also inherit the property, litigation may result between them. In California, any property owned by an individual is subject to probate, including real estate.

What happens to my mother's house when she dies?

If there is no Will, home ownership will be determined through the probate process. If there's a surviving spouse, they'll most likely inherit the house in full. If there isn't another living parent, the home's ownership will likely be split between the siblings.

Is it okay to live in a house someone died in?

Death is a natural part of life. However, not every buyer is okay with moving into a house that someone recently died in. Non-natural deaths (suicide or homicide) can stigmatize a house and make it less desirable on the market. Many potential buyers don't want to move into a space with such negative energy.

Who gets your property if you die without a will

32 related questions found

How do I keep my house in the family after death?

Some states offer a TOD designation on a deed which essentially names a beneficiary for that property. With a TOD designation, assets pass outside probate, so it's quick and private, and the heirs still get a step-up in basis for tax purposes, which means the value of the house is adjusted to current market value.

Do you need to disclose a death in a house?

If you live in California, for example, you must disclose whether any deaths occurred on the property within the last three years. Few other states' laws contain such a requirement, however.

What not to do when someone dies?

What Not to Do When Someone Dies: 10 Common Mistakes
  1. Not Obtaining Multiple Copies of the Death Certificate.
  2. 2- Delaying Notification of Death.
  3. 3- Not Knowing About a Preplan for Funeral Expenses.
  4. 4- Not Understanding the Crucial Role a Funeral Director Plays.
  5. 5- Letting Others Pressure You Into Bad Decisions.

How long can a house stay in a deceased person's name?

If the property needs to go through the probate court process, the house can stay in a decedent's name until the probate process has been completed and ownership of the property has been transferred.

What happens if a will is not followed after death?

A probate court monitors the probate process, which means the probate court can also have an executor removed. You can petition the court to have the executor removed, and once the old executor is removed, the court will find another representative to handle the estate.

Is it illegal to keep utilities in a deceased person's name?

Yes, that is fraud. Someone should file a probate case on the deceased person.

What happens if you live with someone and they pass away?

What your partner would receive in the event of your death depends on how you own your property. If your home is owned as beneficial joint tenants, it will automatically pass to the surviving partner on death, regardless of whether you have a will (and regardless of whether that is what you would want).

How long can you keep an estate open after death?

State laws typically govern the specific timeframe for keeping an estate open after death, but the average is about two years. The duration an estate remains open depends on how fast it goes through the probate process, how quickly the executor can fulfill their responsibilities, and the complexity of the estate.

What not to do after the death of a parent?

See our 10 tips for things you shouldn't do after they've died:
  • 1 – DO NOT tell their bank. ...
  • 2 – DO NOT wait to call Social Security. ...
  • 3 – DO NOT wait to call their Pension. ...
  • 4 – DO NOT tell the utility companies. ...
  • 5 – DO NOT give away or promise any items to loved ones. ...
  • 6 – DO NOT sell any of their personal assets.

Can beneficiary live in house during probate?

There is no prohibition against you living in a house that is going through the probate process.

What rights do I have living in my parents' house after?

In most situations, a surviving spouse will have the right to remain in the home and will maintain at least partial ownership. But if your parent does not have a surviving spouse and multiple siblings inherit a house jointly, each child may have the equal right to use the home.

How long do you have to clear a house after someone dies?

There is no set time for when a house needs to be cleared. It is the responsibility of the deceased's family to ensure all items are removed from the property. Once this is done, the house can be sold, with the proceeds then being distributed to all designated heirs.

How do I put my deceased parents' house in my name?

If the deceased person dies, the property cannot remain in their name, and it must be transferred to their family through a will or the State's Succession Law. To get a new deed for the property, the new owner must submit an official death certificate and a probate court statement to the county recorder's office.

Is it illegal to keep a mortgage in a deceased person's name?

No, a mortgage can't remain under a deceased person's name. When the borrower passes away, the loan won't disappear. Instead, it needs to be paid. After the borrower passes, the responsibility for the mortgage payments immediately falls on the borrower's estate or heirs.

How long can a deceased person stay at home?

It's become common practice for a funeral director to collect someone from home shortly after they die. But, in most cases, if it's an expected death, you're completely free to care for someone at home. You could do this for hours, days or even a week or more if that feels right.

Who gets the $250 social security death benefit?

Following the death of a worker beneficiary or other insured worker,1 Social Security makes a lump-sum death benefit payment of $255 to the eligible surviving spouse or, if there is no spouse, to eligible surviving dependent children.

Can I withdraw money from a deceased person's bank account?

An executor/administrator of an estate can only withdraw money from a deceased person's bank account if the account does not have a designated beneficiary or joint owner and is not being disposed of by the deceased person's trust.

Who shows up when someone dies at home?

EMTs will come and attempt resuscitation. If that fails, police or sheriff's deputies will come to investigate the death. It is important to try to find the medications the deceased was taking, as the police may want this information.

How long do you have to sell a house after someone dies?

I live and do real estate in California. If the parent died in the property, you should wait at least three years to sell the property. You must disclose (tell) a buyer if a person died in that property if it happened within the last three years. After three years, no disclosure is required.

When someone dies in a house does the price go down?

Based on my research, it seems like the average discount to market for a tragic death on the property is somewhere between 15% – 25% in America. Tragic deaths include: homicide, suicide, death by fire, death by electrocution, death by falling. For nontragic deaths, the discount is anywhere from 0% – 10%.