gregorygarver.com

[Ingrid]

To cut a long & painful story short:My mother has three houses currently under her name: 2 in Melbourne, Australia, 1 in Sydney, Australia.All three houses are currently rental properties. However, the houses are almost literally 'falling apart', land tax hasnt been paid and no one can contact her.As far as I know, she is currently overseas, and has been for quite a few years now. However, no one is able to contact her. Her real estate agents havent been able to contact her in close to a year, and neither can her tenants (to fix repairs, pay land tax, other fees, etc.)Quite frankly, no one knows if she is dead or alive, to cut a long story short, as no one has heard from her in such a long time.I am her next of kin, and have been recieving numerous calls from her real estate agents, asking me if I knew where she was (which I dont). If no one is able to contact her, what next steps will the law take in 'doing something' about the houses, and working out ownershipIf the law does take action, what will those next steps be?I hate to say it, but if she no longer lives, but died overseas, how would the government find this out and make adequate changes to the property entitlements?

[LynK]

Dear Sir/MadamI work in finance as a finance broker and have not encountered this scenario before however, I can point you in the right direction.1) Contact the Land Titles of for both VIC & NSW and ask them what steps are involved if you mother is found to have passed away. In my experience dealing with families who have had a loved one who has passed away where there is still a mortgage held over the property, the presentation of a death certificate is required to pass the properties into the next of kin's name once the mortgage has been discharged.I have posted both the web addresses for the Land Titles office below for your reference as these are the state departments which handle the transfers of property titles within each state.If you do locate your mother which I sincerely hope you are able to do, please seek legal advice as to what you can do in order to better manage the properties if your mother is no longer able to do so.I am crossing my fingers for you that you are able to find you mother safe and well.Sincerely,Lyn Kirkpatrickwww.lands.nsw.gov.au www.land.vic.gov.au