Land title and mortgage

[AmieT]

I want to add my mom (over 65 year old) on the house name so we can apply for some assistance with disability equipment. Talked to a mortgage specialist at BMO, she demanded I do not do that, stating I would have a hard time when renew or refinance my mortgage in couple of years down the road. I was surprise. Do I have to wait for till I pay off my mortgage before adding her name in the land title? My mom may not be around by then

[Zonny]

I think you should talk to a lawyer about it. When we bought our house, my name was not on the deed because my DH had a WAY better credit rating, and we would have had to come up with a bigger down payment as I recall. A few years down the road, we added me to the deed.

I'm not 100% sure, as I am no expert in this, but I really wouldn't think that it would cause problems with renewing your mortgage? And I wonder if your mom has to be listed as an owner of your house to qualify for these things. Your lawyer would know. Good luck!

[Shwa Girl]

I am not a mortgage person or a lawyer.
Just thinking, if you added your Mom, and as you said, she may not be around, if the worse happens to your Mom, her heirs can demand her share of the house, meaning you may need to sell to give them her portion of the owned house.

About assistance with disability equipment, can't your Mom's doctor or a social worker help with sources of funding?

[tinambulance]

Not sure where you live, but here in Saskatchewan, you can add your mom to the Title. However, when you go to renew your mortgage, your mom must also sign the new mortgage. The names on the land title (deed) and the mortgage must be the same. As everyone else said, best bet is to talk to your lawyer.

[Darth Penguin]

+1 on talking to a lawyer. If funds are short , look at your local uni website to see if they have a law school and if the students do pro bono appointments.

Try asking around your doctor, social services, or local support groups for extra advice on funding sources. There may be some NGOs that can help out.

[MortgageQueen]

Amie, you should be able to get assistance with disability equipment regardless if your mom is on title. What about all the other people who don't own homes? An qualified chartered accountant would be able to give you some insight. I would also talk to social services, senior groups, even medical supply stores know a lot about this stuff.

[AmieT]

Thank you all

My mom was on disability several years till 2012. She had spinal surgery last summer and not very mobile since. We reapply for disability again this year and was rejected. I want to put in a lift chair to go up/down the stairs and replace the bahtub with the walk-in one, that's why her name should be on title.

[Ciel]

CRA site lists Ontario and BC as having home renovation tax credits for seniors.
http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/seniors/

If you or your mother belong to a Legion as a member, there may be a way to get some help through your local hall for wheelchair or mobility device.

[AmieT]

Thank you all.