Grandson's name on house deeds?

ModestyB

Hi, I'd like advice please on what's best to do with my house etc. before I leave this world.

My question is, is it possible or advisable to put my 17yo grandson's name on the deeds of the house or just make a will and leave everything to him?

His mother, my DD, doesn't want anything and my son has cut himself off from us. Again. This time is definitely the last. We don't want him to have anything when we go. He's a bully and control freak and I'm worried in case he tries to take what we want our DGS to have.

Thanks in advance.

MB.

HappyMJ

You just need a will. Properly drawn up.

RAS

If you put your grandson's name on the house, there is nothing to prevent him throwing you out and selling the place. Sounds harsh but I know an elderly lady to whom that all but happened. She ended up in a mobile home in the garden of the new house they bought, hundreds of miles from where she wanted to live.

It will also cause havoc if he has to claim any benefits at any time. Owning a property in which he does not live would prevent him from claiming most benefits.

And if he married and divorces his ex-wife would get half or more of the property.

Go see a solicitor and make a good will.

Crabapple

Yes, make a Will.

I'm pretty sure you have to be 18 to be a named owner of a property, and you definitely have to be 18 to inherit an Estate. Just in case anything happened short-term you will need to pick someone you trust to look after his inheritance for him.

ModestyB

Thank you all for your replies. I see that I mis-stated what I meant. That is to add his name to ours on the deeds, not put him in the position where he could chuck us out. Although he has promised not to do that!
He will be living in the house when we're gone which means no rent or mortgage for him to find.

I have finally persuaded DH to make a will so have to make a start on that. :T Thanks to Martin's newsletter I'm going to see if we can get a will made with Which. :T

MB.

Caroline_a

You say he will be living in the house after you. Please don't put this as a condition of your will - he will be tied to a house and area whereas he may want to spread his wings and live abroad etc. if you love him, leave the house to him with no strings attached.

ModestyB

Caroline_a wrote: »

You say he will be living in the house after you. Please don't put this as a condition of your will - he will be tied to a house and area whereas he may want to spread his wings and live abroad etc. if you love him, leave the house to him with no strings attached.

I wouldn't do this to him. It's his idea and his mom's happy with the promise of a bit of peace. Of course, by the time we've both gone, he might have left home anyway and this house will be his nest egg.

I just want to make sure only he gets it.

RAS

ModestyB wrote: »

That is to add his name to ours on the deeds, not put him in the position where he could chuck us out.

Hi

Please take proper legal advice on this as:

1. If he marries and divorces his ex could get half the house, possibly more if they have children. Even if you are living there.

2. It will cause havoc if he applies for any sort of means-tested benefits. He will be considered to have too much capital. Your well-meaning action could impoverish him.

3. If he gets into any sort of financial difficulties, the creditors can put a charge on the house and if he were made bankrupt (seriously tempting to a creditor when there is a property with equity) then you could lose the house. Bear in mind that he only needs to owe £750 to be made bankrupt.

ModestyB

Thank you RAS, I hadn't realised any of that. I'll get on with sorting a Will out. Cheers.

nom_de_plume

As you intend to leave nothing to your son, it is probably advisable to still mention him in your will to confirm this fact, even if it's a paragraph to explain why he's being excluded. This is to help should he decide to contest the will.

Mojisola

nom_de_plume wrote: »

As you intend to leave nothing to your son, it is probably advisable to still mention him in your will to confirm this fact, even if it's a paragraph to explain why he's being excluded. This is to help should he decide to contest the will.

After probate, the will becomes a public document and anyone can buy a copy so rather than make the family problem open to all, it's often advised that you leave a token amount or a small item in the will and then have a letter kept with the will explaining why.

Putting your reasons in writing will help prevent a challenge to the will.