Is there something registered on the title you can get a copy of describing this life estate?
Basically a life estate is a trust, where the occupant has the right to live in the home until they move or die. The transfer of legal ownership is subject to this trust. The trust should explain what expenses the occupant is responsible for.
Life estates are often created in wills in second marriages where one spouse owns the house, but does not want the surviving spouse to be kicked out on the death of the owner. The surviving spouse can stay on for a fixed or indefinite period of time, after which it typically goes to the children of the deceased spouse.
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