My question involves real estate located in the State of: California.
I have several questions about a life estate in California. I inherited a house from my father when he died three months ago. His surviving spouse has a life estate in residence. It states that she is required to pay routine maintenance expenses, utilities, phone, etc. Major maintenance, taxes, HOA dues, and insurance are to be paid from the trust estate. Can she paint the interior and install new carpet, have repairs and inspections done, remove, install, replace anything in the house without my permission? I have been told that since these are not matters of habitability but cosmetic and aesthetic, the standard landlord/tenant lease agreement laws apply, specifically she has to ask my permission before she does anything to my house. What are my rights and responsibilities as the Remainderman? What am I legally responsible for? And what am I legally not responsible for?

