Death what to do?

[David R.]

Hey BP,

This is my first post I'm from Philadelphia P.A. There was a recent death of my neighbor. The cousin of the deceased has no interest in the property and wants to sell the property to me for $1. The problem is that the property is actually in the grandmothers name who is also deceased. I believe the property is owned free and clear. What do I do next? Should I get the property under contract? Does it need to go under probate? 

[Jon Holdman]

The cousin may or may not have the ability to sell.  You need to resolve the ownership.  If there is a will, a beneficiary deed or some other mechanism that transferred ownership then you need to find out who the owner is and work with them.  If there were no preparations done ahead of time the property will need to go through probate.   Its the property owners death that matters here.  I think you're saying the neighbor and grandma are two different people.  If so, the neighbor's death may or may not be relevant.