Do I Get To Keep The House?

Eddie Van Buskirk • August 4, 2022

Surviving the death of a spouse is difficult and emotionally challenging. Suddenly the person left behind is plunged into a world both unfamiliar and frightening. It’s also a world filled with uncertainty, especially if no will guides the disbursement of the house and other property left behind.

 

People often assume that a bereaved spouse inherits everything — including the house — when their spouse dies, whether there’s a will stating that or not. But that’s not necessarily the case. Without a will, intestate succession laws kick in. These laws vary from state to state, so it’s important to learn how they work in your state — before you need the information.

 

If you’ve recently lost a spouse and are wondering whether you’ll get to stay in your home or not, call Kansas City Legacy Properties for guidance. Having someone on your side alleviates the feeling of isolation that’s often associated with this difficult time.

 

What is Intestate Property?

Intestate property is property that is owned by a person but is not committed in a will prior to the person’s death. When the owner of the property passes away, this property is distributed to survivors through a will created by the state for this purpose. This intestate will often differs dramatically from what the deceased would have wanted to happen with their residence. In some cases, a surviving spouse may find themselves left behind without a home or quibbling with descendants over what to do with the house.

 

Intestate Succession in Kansas and Missouri

In Kansas, when your spouse dies without a will, your inheritance depends on whether or not your spouse has descendants. If descendants are involved, you’ll inherit half the estate; the other half goes to the descendants. This means you could end up owning only half the house you’ve been living in for years.

 

Conversely, if your spouse has no descendants, you inherit everything, including the house. This is a much more secure position to be in. There’s comfort in knowing you don’t have to move right away if you don’t want to.

 

In Missouri, the rules are a little different. When someone dies without a will, the surviving spouse’s inheritance depends on a couple of things.

 

  1. Whether the surviving spouse and the deceased have descendants together
  2. Whether the deceased has descendants not related to the surviving spouse

 

In the first instance, you would inherit the first $20,000 of the intestate property plus half of the remaining balance of the property. In the second instance, you only inherit half the intestate property. Again, you may end up owning only half of your house.

 

Planning Ahead is the Best Course

Of course, the best way to ensure that property is dispersed according to one’s wants and needs is to have a will or trust in place before you pass on. Taking this step ahead of time eases the path for those left behind. Sadly, many people die without having a will in place, leading to heartache and confusion for surviving spouses.

 

Kansas City Legacy Properties — Inherited Real Estate Consultants

Kansas City Legacy Properties serves as an advocate when it comes to inherited property. We help with all aspects of the issue, from planning what to do with the home to coordinating the clearing out of personal property. We understand how challenging this situation is. We’re with you every step of the way.

 

If you’ve recently lost a spouse and are wondering what to do about the house, let us lend a hand. We’ll help ensure that your needs are met and your interests protected as you work through this trying time. And we’ll take as much of the stress out of the process as possible. Call Kansas City Legacy Properties to schedule a consultation today.

By Eddie Van Buskirk June 30, 2025
No one ever expects to be in this situation. Losing someone to suicide is devastating. It's painful, confusing, and can leave you feeling paralyzed. If you’re also the person tasked with handling their estate or have inherited their property, that emotional burden gets even heavier. At KC Legacy Properties, we've walked beside families going through this very experience. It's heartbreaking. And it's our mission to make sure no one has to go through it alone. The Overwhelming Reality of Inheriting a Property in Tragic Circumstances When someone passes unexpectedly—especially by suicide—there's often no plan in place. Suddenly, you're facing rent due, contents to sort, legal questions, and deep emotional wounds. We've seen families struggle with where to start: How do you clear out a loved one's belongings without reliving the trauma? What if you're far away, or emotionally unable to face the property? How do you protect the estate from further financial damage? These are questions no one prepares for. But we can help you answer them. Real Stories, Real Solutions In one case, a family member called us because they were emotionally detached enough to manage the process, but still deeply concerned about shielding others from trauma. Together, we made a list of items to keep, walked through the apartment via Zoom, and carefully retrieved the important belongings. The rest was donated or discarded, allowing them to stop paying rent on the unit and move forward. In another situation, a man inherited his brother’s home but was frozen by grief. For a year, nothing happened. Squatters had broken in. The house risked being lost to back taxes. We visited him personally, gently walked him through each step—collecting items, clearing the property, resolving title issues, and eventually helping him sell the home. Without that partnership, he might still be stuck in limbo. You Don't Have to Face This Alone The truth is, dealing with an inherited home after suicide is too much to take on all at once. That’s why our approach is simple: one step at a time. First, identify and protect valuables and documents. Then, make decisions about belongings—donation, storage, sale or disposal. Next, resolve title or legal issues. Finally, decide whether to sell traditionally or explore a cash option. We never pressure you. We simply help you move forward, at your pace, with dignity and transparency. KC Legacy Properties: Here When You Need Us Most We know you're grieving. And we want you to know: you're not alone. Whether you need someone to hold your hand through the process or just want honest advice, we're here to help. And if you decide you want a cash offer to simply walk away, we can make that happen too. But we’ll always show you all your options so you can make the best decision for your future.  Reach out today. Call us at (816) 307-7163 or fill out the inquiry form at KC Legacy Properties . We're here to listen, and to help.
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You found a buyer, you signed the contract, and now you’re just waiting to close—right? Not so fast. Some of the most common (and expensive) real estate mistakes happen after the offer is accepted. The good news? If you're the seller, you can avoid almost all of them with the right game plan. At KC Legacy Properties, we help our sellers close with confidence—not chaos. Here are 10 avoidable reasons your home sale might fall apart, and how to steer clear of every one: 1. Delaying Agreed-Upon Repairs If you promised to fix something, get it done—on time. Buyers can legally walk if you don’t deliver. 2. Blocking Appraisals or Inspections Don’t cancel or restrict access. It slows the process and raises red flags for buyers. 3. Trying to Renegotiate After Signing The contract is the contract. Changing dates, keeping appliances, or adding new demands puts the deal at risk. 4. Hiding Known Issues Undisclosed problems (like mold or foundation cracks) almost always surface—and buyers don’t like surprises. 5. Not Being Ready to Move If you can’t hand over keys on time, you’re breaking the agreement. Have a real exit plan, not a guess. 6. Title Problems Unpaid taxes, old liens, or ownership disputes? They’ll come up. Address them early to avoid delays or cancellations. 7. Leaving the Home in Bad Condition Buyers do a final walkthrough for a reason. If the home is dirty, damaged, or missing agreed-upon items, they can walk away at the finish line. 8. Getting Cold Feet Once you're under contract, backing out isn’t just emotional—it can lead to legal trouble. Be sure before you list. 9. Ignoring Paperwork or Deadlines Missing documents or delayed responses can tank your timeline. Stay responsive and on top of everything. 10. Overreacting to Buyer Requests Not every inspection request is personal. Stay calm and negotiate smart—small concessions can save the whole deal. Thinking About Selling? Just getting to contract isn’t enough—you need to get to closing. At KC Legacy Properties, we help homeowners navigate every step of the sale with expert advice, full transparency, and no pressure. Have questions about your situation? Let’s talk. Your home, your timeline, your terms—with the guidance you deserve.
By Eddie Van Buskirk January 10, 2025
Why Use Professional Services? Any financially savvy person might wonder why they should pay for a service when they could handle things themselves. It's true that you can look up contractors or take care of trash removal and cleaning on your own. However, the benefits of using a professional service often outweigh the costs. Let’s see if that scenario is true for you. The Right Tools for the Job Having the right tools can make any job significantly easier and faster. Imagine trying to chop down a tree with a hammer—it could take weeks. Using an axe might reduce the time to 30 minutes, and a well-sharpened axe could cut that down to just 15 minutes. Tackling an inherited property without the proper tools and expertise is like using a hammer on that tree. Plus, without experience, you risk unexpected problems, much like a tree falling in an unpredictable direction. Does that extra pain and struggle seem worth it for you right now? The Challenge of DIY An inherited property often arrives at an inconvenient time, adding to your already full plate. Managing it alone can quickly consume all your free time and energy, leading to stress and frustration. Benefits of Using Kansas City Legacy Properties Kansas City Legacy Properties offers a network of trusted vendors and contractors who work efficiently and effectively. We understand the best order for tasks and know how to save you money along the way. Most importantly, we handle everything while you focus on your other responsibilities. Financial Implications Holding onto a house without taking action can become a financial burden. Attempting to manage it yourself may seem cost-effective initially, but the prolonged process often results in higher holding costs. This frustration can lead to burnout and the temptation to accept a lowball offer from cash buyer companies looking to take advantage of your situation. Call to Action If you’re feeling overwhelmed and realize that handling it yourself isn’t feasible, contact us at (816) 307-7163 . Let us help turn your inherited property into a blessing rather than a burden.
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