Ms. Jackson
New Member
- Jurisdiction
- Michigan
When my husband was a very young man, before we were together, his parents divorced. His mother didn't have enough credit to buy his dad out so she manipulated her son into co-signing. I'm not sure what the deal is called, but it's something like this: They are equal owners, if one passes on, the other gets full ownership. This deal tied up his credit and for many years he felt that he could not afford to buy us a place. We ended up putting a house on the property (several acres) and have lived here for over 25 years. I am co owner of our house but not the land.
About 10 years ago her house burned and she moved to town, but still is co owner even though she got a fat payout from the insurance for the fire. Since then, my husband and I have transformed the grounds, it is our home, our children's heritage and they love it.
It makes me angry that MIL took advantage of her own son like that, even before he had a chance to strike out on his own. It is an insult that I am not owner with my husband on property that we lovingly curate together. One time, my husband had to apply for a home equity loan and the property was being used for collateral and he had to take her to the bank instead of me. That makes me sick.
I've brought the subject up with my husband many times and even though I adore him, this does indeed cause resentment. He is extremely reluctant to even bring up the subject with her. I do not trust her. I do not feel secure. If something were to happen to him, what would that old schemer do? I don't know. She has 4 other kids, and some of them are as greedy and petty as she is.
I wonder what my options are. I do not know where to begin. This is something I want very much to resolve, it will bring much peace to me. Best outcome would be for me to be put on as an owner as well, second best outcome would be to have her name my children in her will as benefactors of our homestead, guaranteeing that her other kids never get a chance to swoop in . What are my rights and is there anything I can do? We talk about building a new house here, where we have beautiful gardens and trails and such, and that would indeed be ideal, but I'm not building my dream home on sketchy ground. Yes, we could move now at this point, but again, it is our home, we have worked hard on it, and I would like to continue to build our children's heritage here. Thank you!
About 10 years ago her house burned and she moved to town, but still is co owner even though she got a fat payout from the insurance for the fire. Since then, my husband and I have transformed the grounds, it is our home, our children's heritage and they love it.
It makes me angry that MIL took advantage of her own son like that, even before he had a chance to strike out on his own. It is an insult that I am not owner with my husband on property that we lovingly curate together. One time, my husband had to apply for a home equity loan and the property was being used for collateral and he had to take her to the bank instead of me. That makes me sick.
I've brought the subject up with my husband many times and even though I adore him, this does indeed cause resentment. He is extremely reluctant to even bring up the subject with her. I do not trust her. I do not feel secure. If something were to happen to him, what would that old schemer do? I don't know. She has 4 other kids, and some of them are as greedy and petty as she is.
I wonder what my options are. I do not know where to begin. This is something I want very much to resolve, it will bring much peace to me. Best outcome would be for me to be put on as an owner as well, second best outcome would be to have her name my children in her will as benefactors of our homestead, guaranteeing that her other kids never get a chance to swoop in . What are my rights and is there anything I can do? We talk about building a new house here, where we have beautiful gardens and trails and such, and that would indeed be ideal, but I'm not building my dream home on sketchy ground. Yes, we could move now at this point, but again, it is our home, we have worked hard on it, and I would like to continue to build our children's heritage here. Thank you!