If my mother puts my brother on the deed to her house, can he take out a home equity loan?

Question

If my mother puts my brother on the deed to her house, can he take out a home equity loan?

Answer

She will need his consent to takeout any new loans on the home. I suggest she contact an attorney to determine the best way to accomplish what she wants to do. If she wants to make sure the home goes to your brother upon her death there are better ways to do that. Moreover, if the idea is to protect the home from medicaid claims in the future there is a 5 year look back period so she needs to be sure of what she is doing now.