An attorney Question.

Attorney, please.

Donna Lewis Stiles - Ocean City Realtor - check with the attorney is what I'd say and it seems everyone is of the same opinion.

Donna, this is a question for somebody with a law degree!  This kind of stuff is way above our pay grade - unless you went to law school before you went to real estate school.

An attorney should review documents, wills, etc. If anyone got married, had kids, etc, they might automatically have become owners and could cause title problem. i once haad one where a will used the term " Unborn Heirs". We actually had to hire a seperate attorney to go to court and represent heirs that hadn't even been born yet.

Get everything in writing, including agreement to sell the property, copy of estate paperowork, etc. I would also make sure the sellers have legal authority to sell the home.

Get everyone that verbally agreed to something to agree to it in writing.  Better to settle any disagreements before closing than after.  By "owns property as a life estate" I take that to mean that the remaindermen own the property subject to her life estate.  Not sure if that changes my analysis but make sure everyone agrees to everything in writing.

I would need to see a copy of the contract and talk to a few people.

Donna, had to stop by and check the answers as I have not seen a case of a life estate since learning about it briefly in real estate school.  Thanks for the question.