My dad just died from cancer last week and we just had the funeral earlier. My aunt made it clear that the house is in her
name but didnt show any proof. (I wqs too polite and shy to ask for one)They’ve been living in the house for decades with my dad and I lived and studied abroad not until 6 years ago.
The cost for the funeral and temple
Ceremony is already around 60万。
Dad had 40万 on his bank acct and I gave 14万. I asked my divorced mom to give something and she gave 10万. So 4万 left, let’s say flowers, okaishi and the bento covered that. So all is good right. Til my relative texted me that I also need to pay for my dad’s debt (credit cards, phone bills and kaigo care) and she said if i don’t want to pay for it, i can renounce my inheritance.But I found it weird, why bother asking me to renounce it if I wont be expecting any other assets? Also will the city hall help me on findingout who got land ownership or I have to file it to the court?
https://www.reddit.com/r/japan/comments/10p0na5/dad_died_i_now_have_debt_and_possible_no_land/
28 comments
You need an inheritance lawyer involved in this. Your aunt is trying to scam you. Not familiar with japanese law but typically debts don’t pass by may be claimed from the estate. Don’t pay anything until after talking to the lawyer. You can call up the companies telling them your dad is dead and to suspend the account so fees don’t accrue. Don’t agree to pay anything until you speak with a lawyer.
Talk to a lawyer. They will help you more than internet strangers can.
I wish I could help. I had to deal with vultures like this back in the US and had to go to probate because there was no will. You’ll need to look and see if there was any life insurance for one.
In the US court was unavoidable without a will so legal council was really a requirement. I don’t know how the Japanese system works though. Good luck, it sucks to lose a parent, especially when it’s your last one.
I’m sorry for your loss.
I am to understand that “不動産登記（建物全部事項)” is public information, and you should be able to get a copy of it from a 法務局, or [online](https://www.touki-kyoutaku-online.moj.go.jp/whats/kantan/what_kantan.html). That would have information about the property ownership, and who currently has rights to it (eg: if there is a mortgage on it).
You can read a bit more about it [here](https://www.kawado.jp/fudousantouki/zenbujikoushoumeisho.html). (It was the first hit on my google search).
That said, there may also be a physical deed, and I’m not sure if (anyone) having possession of that might change anything.
Probably best to consult with a lawyer.
If they are that quick to claim the house and claim you should renounce to inheritance, I don’t think they have anything. It is a lot of red flags. First thing first, she has to prove it’s her house. Make it clear that you have to go to a lawyer you will get the maximum allowed by law, even if that includes unpaid rent for living there. Second, depending on the result (dubious proof, no proof), you act. I would call a lawyer first and ask if calling the cops could solve the problem.
Get your ass to a lawyer. Most lawyers will give you a free or nearly free initial consultation.
very good
My thought here is that she is trying to scam you. The house is probably in your father’s name, she wants it, and is trying to scare you off with debt.
It sounds too similar to what my mother in law has been going through for the past three years because they had a verbal agreement 20 years ago about how to split the inheritance.
Get a lawyer. Keep all paperwork.
Im sorry for your loss. Hope everything works out for you.
You 100% need a lawyer here.
To the best of my knowledge, if there is no will and your mother divorced him, then you are the sole heir. Your aunt should legally have no claim to anything. In the absence of a will, siblings of the deceased are only entitled to a share of the inheritance *if there are no children*.
Very likely the house is yours, along with any other assets.
Sounds like they are hiding something. What inheritance? Get a lawyer and let them sort it out.
My condolences
They are trying to take advantage of you
Talk to lawyer and officials your family is fishy
Your aunt is likely lying about the house.
Talk to a lawyer. Look at the documents yourself.
Inheritance tricks are all over the world the same it gets dirty! Get a lawyer
OP do NOT be shy. You seem kind and nice, but don’t let people take advantage of you. While you care a lot about what they might think, they are only thinking about themselves. Get a lawyer.
People handle death very differently. Do not assume that others think like you or have your best interests at heart. People will be very emotional and some may be greedy or overstep their bounds. That is why there are laws concerning all of this.
Get help. You shouldn’t do this on your own. Your job is to grieve your loss. Let a lawyer deal with the rest.
I am terribly sorry for your father’s passing and the behavior of your relatives.
My friend is in the same position.
There’s no amount of money that’s Not 💰 worth spending on lawyer fees when it comes to legality issues! This should definitely be handled with a Top Lawyer
Sounds like someone trying to bluff you into Submission while you’re Not in a wrongful place.
I’m really sorry for your loss. One thing that I will say is don’t ever sign a 委任状 if your aunt asks you to. If the house is under your name, no matter what your aunt says, it will always be under your name. But if you sign a 委任状, it might give your aunt the right to move whatever asset you may have.
It doesn’t sound like you had much to do with your father, and that your aunt had been taking care of him while he was sick. She might not have the legal right to the house, but it’s probably the right thing to do to let her have it since she was taking care of your dad for you. That would have been a massive hardship on her part.
Lawyer here (not Japanese, but still). Sorry for your loss OP.
You will likely need a copy of the death certificate and “your” identity register (as proof of kinship) each, with which you can apply to the relevant land registry office to ask about the ownership of the said property. In some countries you can access most or all of this information online, so you can try accessing official websites to see whether they provide such information.
Since your relatives didn’t provide you with any official document proving their ownership, my guess is that they are trying to make you renounce the inheritance with scare tactics, in this case, your father’s debts. Don’t budge until you see an official copy of the title registry.
Like I said, I’m not familiar with the Japanese law, so please take anything I said above as an assumption. Like many people have already suggested, you **SHOULD** go talk to a lawyer asap.
Sorry for your loss. I know it’s hard to process everything that’s going on but try to stay on top of things or they’ll come back to bite you when things have settled down. May I suggest that getting in touch with a lawyer would help you to a) clarify your choices and b) organise your thoughts. Best wishes.
Your aunt is right that the only way to avoid inheriting your father’s debts is to renounce your inheritence as children in Japan take on both the rights and obligations of their deceased parents. However, if his estate (i.e., his house) is worth more than his debts and is in his name, you would inherit something of greater value than the debts and can sell the house, pay off the debt, and keep the rest of the money. It sounds like our aunt is trying to trick you by scaring you with the debt situation. You definitely need a lawyer, especially since someone will need to find out what the truth is in this situation.
Lawyer lawyer lawyer
because she doesn’t own the house and if you renounce ur inheritance it goes to her.
You should not take any recommendations from Reddit besides getting a lawyer.
Get a lawyer. They will sort it out.