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Lisa Dunn, SRES®, CSA®, CSREC · RE/MAX Results, Edina
How to sell your parent's house in Minnesota when they move to assisted living
To sell a parent's Minnesota home when they move to assisted living, start with who can legally sign (your parent, or the person named in their power of attorney), then set the timeline around the move and any care costs. I'm Lisa Dunn, SRES®, CSA®, CSREC, with RE/MAX Results, and I've helped Twin Cities families do this since 2003.
Who can sign: your parent, a POA, or a trust?
If your parent can sign, they sign. If not, the person named in a power of attorney, or the trustee if the home is in a trust, may be able to. The exact rules depend on the documents, so talk with an elder law attorney before you list. I'll work alongside your attorney on the real estate side.
How does Medical Assistance affect the sale?
If your parent is on, or may apply for, Medical Assistance, the sale of the home can matter. I don't give benefits or legal advice. Ask an elder law attorney, and see the Minnesota Department of Human Services at mn.gov/dhs.
How do siblings decide together?
One plan and one point of contact. I suggest a family call early on so everyone hears the same information, then I keep one person updated who shares it with the rest.
Can my parent stay the decision-maker?
Yes, and they should whenever they can. Adult children are welcome in the conversation, and Mom or Dad stays the decision-maker.
What happens to the house while Mom or Dad settles in?
We make sure it's secure, check on it, and decide whether to prepare and list it now or give your parent time to settle first. Either can be the right choice.
Why check the title early?
A 96-year-old client of mine was selling a family home. Before listing, we checked the title and found that a deceased grandparent still had a recorded interest. Nobody in the family knew. Because we found it early, we had months to fix it instead of losing the sale at closing.
Your homework
Find your parent's power of attorney and any trust documents, and note who is named. See also: help for adult children, selling from out of state, probate and inherited homes and moving to senior living.
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What's your next right step?
Whether a move is a year or two out or a few weeks away, I'll help you sort out what comes first. No cost and no pressure.