Do I Have A Claim To My Old Parental House?

[JessKJones]

A bit of back story.

I lived and grew up in one home up until my mother's sudden death in 2011. It was completely unexpected and she was quite young. She had no will in place at that.

My mother was married to my stepfather, and had been since 2005. They unfortunately had to remortgage the house when I turned 18 in 2007 in order buy out my biological father as they couldn't afford it at the time (I believe it is in his name, but I may be wrong).

However, since my mother's death, he has lived in the house alone. He's got mental health issues (bipolar) and we've always had a rocky relationship. I moved out shortly after my mother's death and have never moved back in.

Many people have asked if I've ever seen a solicitor about what I'm entitled to regarding the house? Quite frankly, I didn't think I was entitled to anything. I never contributed anything to the house, except paying £30 per week rent to my mother when I started working at 18 (she died when I was 22).

Am I actually entitled to anything? It's quite the sensitive subject in my family as my stepdad is now pretty much estranged. Any advice/questions welcome.

[des8]

Assuming your mother and step father were married:
When your mother passed away her share of the house would have passed to your stepfather automatically.
-If they had held the house as joint tenants this would have been automatic.
-If they had held the house as tenants in common, as your mother died intestate (and if her estate was valued at less than £270,000) it would all have passed to your step father

Whether or not you might have a claim against your step father's estate (when he passes away!) is a different question