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My dear mom recently passed after a lengthy illness. Before she died, she updated her will and created a trust, naming me as her trustee/executor. I paid a lawyer to file the will and have consulted with her financial advisor and tax advisor. In her trust, she left her home to me. The lawyer had the owner of her condo renamed to the "trustees" of her trust.
My question is, how do I go about taking possession of the home? I'd rather not have to pay (or rather, to have the trust pay) a lawyer to help with this.
I am not sure what I will do with the home, but I am considering fixing it up and renting it or living in it at some point. One sticking point is that one of my siblings (there are several of us) lives there (has for the past several years) and doesn't work. I am currently paying the mortgage and other bills out of the trust.
I believe my mom wanted me to have her home because she figured there would be infighting among the siblings about what to do with it (she was right) and she knew I'd take care of it.
Looking for any advice and also specific steps to take. If I need to hire a lawyer, I will, but want to see if I'm able to do this myself.

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You are going to need to speak with the lender. A mortgage on the house means that has to be dealt with first before you can change a deed that is not free and clear.

I am so sorry for your loss. May The Lord give you strength, wisdom and guidance to navigate this new season in life.
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This isn't do-it-yourself material really, nor should the countless opinions on a Forum be relied on for something this legally crucial to get right. See the attorney is my advice. Seems about the 10th time I have said that this morning but for things that a crucial to get right you need expert advice.
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The trust specifies me only as the beneficiary of the home. Everything else is to be divided among the siblings. For my sibling who lives in the home now, a Special Needs Trust has been established, which needs to be funded from the estate. Incidentally, I'm the trustee of the SNT as well.
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MG8522 Apr 16, 2025
This does sound complicated enough that you should use an attorney to sort it out. With two trusts and an estate to settle, and multiple siblings including one with special needs who you may be displacing, it is much better to spend the money now, when the trust and estate can pay the legal fees, to get things right, than to face family conflicts, legal expenses out of your own pocket, and potential tax consequences. I hope you will be able to work out the complex situation with a minimum of stress.
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If your siblings are on the trust, they are co-owners of the house. They will have a say in decisions regarding the property in this trust.

I’d consult a lawyer about this.
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