Sister wants half of mom’s house

Dear Len & Rosie, For 24 years, I have lived with my mother, and I have been her care giver for 14 years. My sister told me that she did not want to take care of mom, and I could have the house if I did. Mother gave me half of the home so we could borrow against it. We qualified for the loan, and spent $100,000 on repairs. I pay the mortgage payments, taxes and insurance. Now my sister complains she is being cheated. — Donna

Your mother has the right to leave her assets to anyone she wants.

After your mom’s death, your sister may claim you unduly influenced your mother. She won’t have much of a case if your mother added you to the deed long ago. If she did it recently, you may have problems as your mother is dependent on your care.

Your mom can best protect your inheritance by reviewing her estate plan with a trusts and estates attorney, in a meeting without you in the room. Let the attorney evaluate your mom’s capacity and verify she really wants to leave everything to you. He or she can make sure your mother’s estate plan is up to date, and the attorney will also be a witness in your favor if your sister tries to sue you after your mother’s death. Len Tillem and Rosie McNichol are elder law attorneys. Contact

them at Tillem McNichol & Brown, 846 Broadway, Sonoma, CA 95476, (707) 996-4505, or

lentillem.com.