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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Posts
    5

    Default Who is Responsible for Utilities for a Life Estate

    This a question regarding TX state law.

    I was living with my father on property that he and my mom deeded me, retaining a Life Estate. I was paying the utilities while we were living together, but he's gone off to live with my sister (we had a falling out of sorts) and I have a job offering in Dallas.

    My question is this: Assuming I move to Dallas, am I still responsible for the utilities for the house? Y'see, pops is talking about wanting to come back from time to time, just to visit old friends, but the house will mostly be sitting empty ... so can I shut off the electricity, phone, and water, or do I have an obligation to keep them going just so pop can drop by whenever he feels like it for a visit?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Michigan
    Posts
    28,906

    Default Re: Who is Responsible for Utilities for a Life Estate

    Are the utilities in your name or his? What did he say when you indicated that you were moving out, and didn't want to pay the utilities any longer? (I'm assuming you're not just planning to surprise him by disappearing and shutting off all the utilities.)

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Posts
    5

    Default Re: Who is Responsible for Utilities for a Life Estate

    Aaron: At the moment, the utilites are in my name. As to what he said, the job offer in Dallas just came up in the last day or so (I don't even know if I have it yet), so I haven't mentioned it. (And I will let him know before I split.)

    jk: Thanks. How about insurance on the house? (P.S. Vis-a-vis your sig, how is it that a non-attorney knows so much about this shit? You work in the field? Just asking to sort of gauge how much I can trust your answers; no offense intended.)

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Posts
    38,867

    Default Re: Who is Responsible for Utilities for a Life Estate

    Quote Quoting Speeder
    View Post

    jk: Thanks. How about insurance on the house? (P.S. Vis-a-vis your sig, how is it that a non-attorney knows so much about this shit? You work in the field? Just asking to sort of gauge how much I can trust your answers; no offense intended.)
    since pop would be liable for the maintenance of the house, it would be a great idea for pop to have insurance to cover his liabilities but we do live in a real world and it would not be a bad idea for you to procure insurance to cover your interests, especially if pop tends to let things like that slip.

    as to me being offended?

    I have no reason to be offended. I am a anonymous typist on the internet tossing out advice. If you didn;t question such a source, I would question your mental faculties. You should view all info on the internet with a bit of skepticism. I do not intentionally misinform others but there are those that will.

    along with that question and the one following, I suggest that anybody receiving their info from such a person should make some effort to verify any info or advice with another, preferably known, entity.

    as to how do I know what I know?

    Not a clue other than; I spend way too much time on the internet. I listen when Aaron speaks (especially since he is an attorney). There are several others on this forum (as well as a couple others I frequent) that are very knowledgeable that I try to learn from. I like to believe I have a better than average amount of common sense as well as at least a modicum of logic. I have an interest in the legal field and enjoy cruising through a states statutes. My IQ is at least average and I enjoy helping others. I used to be a real estate salesman and part of the training required was some basic legal principles and application of those principles.

    Hopefully that helps answer your question.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Posts
    38,867

    Default Re: Who is Responsible for Utilities for a Life Estate

    you have no rights to possess of inhabit the house as long as dad has a life estate, without pops blessing. Along with his life estate, pops has the duty to maintain the house and property. You have no responsibility to maintain the utilities. Tell pops if he wants lights. water, and gas, he needs to put them in his name and pay for them.

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