when my dad died their house was paid for and they had minimal other assets. my two siblings and i had mom sell the house and over the past three years she has gifted us three and spouses 20k per year. we inturn invested in different muni bonds in our home state with 5k notes in 12 different months and we recieve the funds in our names, cash the checks, give ma the procedes, and have protected her investment of the houses money, avoided inheritence problems and given her a 5 1/2 to 6 1/2 return on the princial all tax free. of course you must trust each other not to blow the money gifted to you until mom meets dad, dances to sinatra and watches dimaggio hit one out. hope this helps