Dennis.Harrison@jaxlegalaid.org

“Emily,” not her real name, deeded her home to her father so he could have a nice place to live and get a homestead exemption. Her father later passed away, and after a year had passed, she reached out to JALA for assistance, but her sister had hired a private attorney to handle the matter, so JALA closed the case. Eight months later, Emily reached out to JALA again after the private attorney failed to file any pleadings on the case. Once two years had passed since Emily’s father had passed way, JALA staff attorney Jessica Farmer was able to file the probate as a summary administration with Emily's mother as the beneficiary. Emily’s mother, who lived in a nursing home, then signed a deed transferring the property back to Emily, who now has her house back in her name and can apply for a homestead exemption. “You have no idea how happy you have made me,” Emily wrote in a thank you note.

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.