[iaf97]

No way unless there was a death certificate or proof of conservatorship. DPOA don't give you carte blanche usually come into effect after certain specified events ie incompetence etc.

[Devil_Anse]

Thanks for the answer. So, what are we to make of the stories that Scott has been making overtures of selling the house, since Laci's disappearance?

(As for possible plans by him to sell it b/f her disappearance, he could simply pressure her until she finally gave in.)

You mention conservatorship. While obviously that is more likely to be used for an incompetent person, I wonder if it could also possibly be applied to this situation--after the passage of some time? (This situation=devoted husband bereft of wife through circumstances, in desperate need of money to further fund search for her. *Cough*.)

Or how about this more likely scenario: perhaps Scott's equity in the house (if any) has been pledged to his attorney for future payment? You can bet his attorney is trying to figure out the best way for Scott to get money out of the house.

One thing I think you would agree on. If they are joint tenants with right of survivorship, then if she is provably deceased (complete with death certificate), he owns the house. I would think that would be the case regardless of slayer statutes, too.