Many legal issues can arise when you are living in a home that you think you own, that you treat and pay for as your own, or that you may have inherited, but your name is not on the deed.
People with tangled titles may face a variety of legal issues or barriers to services because the title to their home is not in their name.
You might run into issues if:
- you try to take out a mortgage or a loan;
- you try to negotiate with the city or a utility company about past taxes or bills that have not been paid;
- you try to get a grant from the city to make repairs to your house;
- you try to obtain homeowners insurance on the property;
- you want to give your property to your family or friends should something happen to you; or
- the person whose name is still on the deed, or one of their relatives, tries to take the house from you.
- you try to sell your house.
We help many people with tangled titles, and can provide you with advice about your legal options and the steps needed to resolve your tangled title. We can assist with the probate process and estate administration, assess pending liens if any, and facilitate deed transfers.
For more information about tangled titles and how legal aid programs can help, please check out Resolving Tangled Titles in Philadelphia.
