I was an unpaid caregiver for my 91 year old mom with dementia who passed in February of last year. Unfortunately, she didn't have a will and this country has a crazy legal system for trying to inherit property where you have to pay tons of money to a probate lawyer in order to try to get through the process. They demand 4% of the first 100k, 3% of the next 100k, 2% of the next 100k, and 1% of every 100k after that. They say they might need to do a double probate since my dad was still on the deed and in the least I need 4k for the retainer. There is the option of using the value of the house in a sale to pay the lawyers, but I don't want to sell it, it's my home and I just want to go back home.

I've been homeless for the past year, I was unpaid so I didn't have any kind of savings but I've managed to save up about 1,500 to put in and I've kept up on stuff like the house taxes and paying for the storage of my mom's stuff. If I could get through probate I could get the title for the house and start applying for homeowner grants to fix it up, but I can't apply for any of that until it's in my name. I just want to get our home back instead of handing it over to bankers or investors and I need help. We're coming up on a year since she died by the end of next month and I can't raise the money required in that much time. Anything helps.

Alternatively, if you are, or know a probate lawyer that would accept payment in installments that would be helpful too. If you wanted to secure the loan against the house, assuming reasonable terms I wouldn't miss the payments. or ever be late.

If I had any advice from what I've learned through all this it's to do your heirs a favor and prepare a will or trust or whatever ensures they won't have to go through this nightmare when you pass.