What happens to your parents home if my dad goes into a nursing and mom still lives there?

If your dad goes into a nursing home and your mom still lives in the house, there are several options for what happens to the property:

1. The house remains in both of your parents' names: This is the most straightforward option, and it allows your mom to continue living in the house without any major changes to the ownership or title. However, it is important to consider whether this arrangement will work in the long term, as your mom may eventually need to sell the house or move to a different location.

2. Your dad transfers ownership of the house to your mom: If your dad is mentally competent, he may be able to sign a deed transferring ownership of the house to your mom. This would give your mom full ownership of the property and make her responsible for all of the associated expenses, such as mortgage payments, property taxes, and maintenance.

3. Your parents create a joint tenancy with a right of survivorship: This is a type of ownership arrangement in which both of your parents own the house jointly, and when one of them dies, the other becomes the sole owner. This ensures that your mom will own the house outright if your dad passes away.

4. Your parents create a life estate: This is a type of ownership arrangement in which your dad retains ownership of the house during his lifetime, but your mom has the right to live in it after his death. This can be a good option if your mom wants to stay in the house but does not want to take on the responsibilities of ownership.

5. The house is sold: If your parents need to generate funds to pay for your dad's nursing home care, they may decide to sell the house. This is a good option if the house is no longer needed by your family and it can be sold for a fair price.

It is important to discuss the options with your parents and their financial advisor to determine which option is best suited for their situation.