In theory, homeowners can prevent tangled titles and ensure their descendants have a place to live by making a will. Alyssa’s* grandfather did just that. “Everyone in the family knew that grandpa wanted me to have the house,” she recalled. Her grandfather died with a will, but his executor probated the estate as if it were intestate – an honest mistake that created a major legal roadblock for Alyssa.
Alyssa’s Germantown home had been in her family for over fifty years. “My grandparents were pillars of our family. This house is where my mom and aunt grew up,” she said. “Before my grandma died, she used to say, ‘Alyssa, do what you have to do to take care of the house.’”
When the roof started leaking and it came time to apply for a repair grant, Alyssa discovered the estate administration error that left her with a tangled title. She spoke with some attorneys, but she could not afford their services. Finally, she connected with Philadelphia VIP via referral from a legal aid agency.
VIP assessed the case and referred Alyssa to Miriam Straus, a longtime volunteer attorney. Miriam drafted a deed granting her client full title to the home and coordinated signatures from all the interested parties, including an out-of-state executor. “Miriam was great. This had been lingering for about a year, and she was so honest and prompt. It was good for my anxiety,” Alyssa said.
“I really enjoyed working with Alyssa, who was proactive and incredibly organized,” Miriam said. Miriam is a policy advisor at Community Catalyst, a nonprofit that works to target healthcare inequities. In her ten-plus years volunteering with VIP, she has represented clients in guardianship proceedings, eviction hearings, and tangled title matters like Alyssa’s.
Now, Alyssa is making necessary repairs to her legally-held family home. “It means a lot. We can’t wait to have family dinners there,” she said. “I already told my fiancé that when I have kids, I’m leaving the house to them.”
*Name changed to protect client privacy.