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Why do I have to sign a renunciation form?
Anonymous7 views4 answers
My grandfather purchased the house in his name in 1960. He then met married my grandmother. The house was then then put in both of my grandparents names as husband and wife. They had two children together (my father and aunt). My grandmother also has three children from a prior marriage before marrying my grandfather. My grandfather died sometime in the early 1980s. My grandmother died in 2001 without a will. My father (their son) died in 1994. Several days ago on July 7, 2013, my aunt (their daughter) asked me to stop by her house (my grandparent’s house) because she needed me to sign a form. When I arrived at the house, my aunt and her two daughters (my cousins) presented me with a renunciation form - without any other information - to sign. When I asked her what I was renunciating, she became very evasive and just said that her sisters and brother had signed the form and that I needed to sign it as well so that she could fix the house up. I was confused and did not understand what the house had to do with me. Her daughters were acting very weird and kept asking me if I needed a pen. They appeared very eager for me to sign this form which made me extremely uncomfortable. I told my aunt that I would not sign anything without proper guidance and left the house. Now she has been bombarding me with phone calls to the point of harassment. Could you explain to me what this is all about?
You are correct not to sign. You are entitled to a 1/5 share (or split with your siblings) through your father. She is trying to get you to state you dont want that and she can have everything.
You are probably being asked to renounce your right to serve as administrator of the estate of one of the parties who died.
I'm not sure that that information is helpful to you, but without knowing more (including how each of the estates was handled, and how your grandparents' house became your aunt's), it's not possible to give you any further information.
Let an experienced estate administration attorney look at the form and the relevant facts and advise you.
Without being able to see the form, all we can do is speculate. It may be that she was renouncing her right to act as administrator of the estate. You were right not to sign the form, however. You should never sign a legal document that you do not understand. You should bring all your paperwork to a probate attorney and review not only the document in question, but your rights as a beneficiary, as well.
James Frederick
As Ms. Mcnichonas points out, they are probably asking you to sign a renunciation which is different than a disclaimer (huge difference). The renunciation gives up your right to jointly administer the estate; the disclaimer gives up your right to claim under the estate. Again, big difference. Tell her you're happy to consider signing the form if she provides you with a copy and the opportunity to review it with your attorney.
