This situation has a lot of moving parts, but I will do my best to summarize and list the parties involved below.
My partner (we'll call him Ted in this scenario) is going through a lot right now and we do not want to make any sudden moves until everything seems fair.
Location: Alabama
Parties Involved:
- Ted
- Ted's Father
- Ted's Father's Domestic Partner/ Ted's "stepmom" (never married so not legally his stepmom)
- Ted's Grandmother
In a nutshell, Ted's father is currently in the ICU and has been for almost a month now. The house that Ted's father, "stepmom" and grandmother live in only has the grandmother's name on the deed. The reason being is that the three of them (the father, stepmom and grandmother) had a verbal agreement that if they took care of the grandmother, the house would be left to them. They did not put their names on the house at the time as Ted's stepmom was going through a lawsuit and Ted's father loves to not pay taxes, so it was a risk putting either of their names on the house.
The stepmom (who cannot navigate this without me and Ted's assistance) is insisting we help her prepare a quitclaim deed in order to add her name to the house along with the grandmother's (as a joint tenant). So in the event the grandmother passes, the house automatically goes to JUST the stepmom. But what bothers me is that includes the part that would have gone to Ted's father in this verbal agreement. Ted's grandmother is on board with signing a quitclaim to adding the stepmom's name to the house.
We haven't finalized anything, but we are concerned about the stepmom getting her name on the house, selling it ASAP if the grandmother passes before Ted's father recovers, and taking off.
The stepmother claims that Ted will get her assets (the money from the house or her future house, which includes Ted's father's share) when she passes, but it would be now be split between Ted and his stepmother's two daughters. On top of this, for all we know that could be untrue and there is nothing we have in writing that states that (then again she could change her will later on, right?)
Ted's Father is not dead, but is still sedated in the ICU on a ventilator, so he does not have the capacity to speak (eyes are open and aware, but very little confirmation/following commands). Ted's father did not get a will notarized (there's apparently an unfinished draft on a computer we don't have access to, but I understand that means nothing but also without it we cannot express to the stepmom what his final wishes may be).
Ted is not digging for money, but he is also his father's son and knows that he shouldn't be left with nothing. Ted is not looking to get a third of the value of the house, just something since we are worried the stepmom will not keep her promise or even worse blow the money (no one knows the future).
Is there anything Ted can do in this situation? Is there a chance that any debts (medical or other) can affect Ted as he is his father's only son? Do y'all think the stepmother is jumping the gun, as neither the grandmother or Ted's father have died yet?
Thanks y'all