Betty Nell Reaves Green came to JALA for help after her husband passed away and the mortgage company told her and her daughter that they needed to go through probate.
In fact, spouses can become successor in interest and then assume the loan without probate after a death or divorce. They need the income to support the mortgage and decent credit for the assumption process.
Probate is needed when there is more than one person who could become the owner, such as if both parents are deceased and there are multiple children.
Betty just needed help becoming successor in interest and assuming the loan. JALA Housing Counselor Carmen Curtis-Skowronski helped Betty and her daughter with phone calls to the lender. They have now signed the closing documents and assumed the loan.
“My case was handled professionally and actually went quicker than I thought possible,” Betty said.
Betty’s story is a good example of how JALA’s housing counselors can often help families resolve everyday problems efficiently and effectively.
About Jacksonville Area Legal Aid
Jacksonville Area Legal Aid is a nonprofit law firm dedicated to delivering economic, social, and housing justice to low-income and at-risk individuals and families on the First Coast.
If you are an attorney interested in volunteering with housing-related issues, please contact Debra Talley, Pro Bono Case Placement Manager, at debra.talley@jaxlegalaid.org, or visit https://www.jaxlegalaid.org/pro-bono/.
