DEAR BOB: I own a house where my elderly mother holds a life estate. She lives alone in the house and may someday opt for a smaller apartment. If this happens, and she refuses to release her life estate, do I have any legal recourse? --Patrick L.

DEAR PATRICK: Legally, you are the remainderman, subject to your mother's life estate.

Purchase Bob Bruss reports online.  more...

DEAR BOB: My husband and I sold our home in July 2005. At that time, the buyer requested additional time for inspections, and multiple inspections were conducted. The buyer requested a credit back, which we granted. Now more than a year later, the buyer's lawyer has sent us a letter accusing us of nondisclosure and is demanding $85,000. The items the buyer accuses us of withholding were not discovered by any of the inspections, and my husband and I knew nothing of their existence. We are now involved in mediation, which is costing us lawyer fees and time.  more...