Timeshare troubles

Could you please give me some advice on how to get rid of my timeshare? My son-in-law owns half, and we have tried to get information on selling it or even giving it away, but no one wants it. We are paying the annual fee right now, but I am on a very tight budget and it is a hardship for me to give my half. Because of illness, I can no longer use the timeshare and feel like I am just throwing my money away. I worry that if I don’t pay, they can put a lien on my paid home here. I have contacted the organization from which we bought the timeshare to ask how I can do it, but their answer was unsatisfactory to my son-in-law. They said we could give it to them (free) and when they have a buyer, we will have to hire the lawyer and pay all the costs associated with selling it. Is there any other way that you could suggest?

You might put an ad in the newspaper there, offering to give the timeshare away for free and seeing whether anyone responds.

You and your son-in-law could ask your lawyer(s) what is likely to happen if you were to simply stop paying those fees. There are usually no consequences. If the place is located in another state, a lien couldn’t be put on your other property.

Beyond that, I just warn you against paying anyone in advance to market the place.

A timeshare can work out well for years of relatively inexpensive vacations, and your family probably enjoyed them. As you are finding out now, though, it shouldn’t be considered an investment.