I don't know how to ask this...about RCI

[Pixieflip]

I know this was discussed recently, but I can't seem to find the thread.

My aunt passed away this winter. She was a member of RCI, not DVC, but just RCI. She had no will, which of course has been an issue on several fronts. We've figured out what to do about most everything except her RCI membership. I know it's not DVC, but do any of you know what happens to her RCI? How do we handle it? Her only remaining relative is her almost 18 year old son. My parents are handling her affairs so I'm asking on their behalf. They just got the new bill for this year.

If you have any experience or knowledge, I'd appreciate it. Thanks.

 

[ldo]

members over at Tug2.net (Timeshare users group) can help you out. You have 2 things: at least 1 timeshare, or a points system, which has annual fees, and an RCI membership---which is just the trading place for the timeshares---if you don't pay RCI, no big deal, it just becomes inactive. But, the estate is still responsible for the timeshare and the annual fees (which can top $1000 a year).
If you post on TUG with the name and time frame, they can tell you if it has any resale value and give you names of places that can sell it. You might be able to contact the timeshare place and indicate that the owner died and ask to have them take it back. If it is a desirable week/place, they are more likely to do it--an off-season week, less likely. Again, members on TUg will be helpful. Elaine

 

[Pixieflip]

Thanks for your quick reply. I am checking out that website right now.

 

[Dean]

There are 2 issues, one is the resort(s) owned and the other the RCI membership itself. I think the RCI membership will be easy. As noted, TUG is one good way to determine the value of what she owns which is often not worth fooling with unless you'll use it. Many timeshares aren't worth the annual dues and it would likely be better just to walk away from those in this situation. Others can be quite valuable. You'll want to contact the resort management to get their directions on how to proceed, find out the exact ownership and where the weeks and dues stand. For many, a copy of a death certificate and the transfer fee will suffice. For others you'll need a new deed and may need ROFR. Good luck.

 

[CarolMN]

Sorry for your loss and the hassles for your parents and cousin.

To add -

If the resort your aunt owned is in a different state from her domiclie, her heirs are probably going to have to go through that state's process in addition to the state in which she lived. Unless the timeshare has a lot of value, her heirs will be better off trying to walk away if they can.

 

[acder12]

I am sorry for your loss.

I am not sure how much this will help but I did experience a similar situation a few years ago. My Aunt was a single lady who owned a timeshare at a resort in CA. That resort offered both RCI and II exchanges but she had her membership with RCI. My father was her only surviving heir. He went through all of the legal paperwork to transfer the ownership into his name following her death. The CA resort required a death certificate, power of attorney and some type of court document stating that he had legal right to the ownership. Everything had to be squared away at the resort before RCI would talk to my father or let him use the week. Once the resort acknowledge the change in ownership they communicated with RCI that my father know had legal rights to exchanges, etc..

A few other relevant points:
* my father was not a resident of CA but had to hire an attorney in CA to complete the paperwork. It was not unreasonably expensive, a few hundred dollars I believe, but it was a bit of a hassle.
* paperwork kept getting lost. Every time he thought he was done, something would be missing, filled out incorrectly or was sent to the wrong organization.
* my father had to keep paying the dues, etc. even though he did not have access to the "ownership".
* you really need to keep track of the dues and the available time. When he finally completed all the paperwork he had a really hard time figuring out what had been banked, borrowed and forfeited from an RCI standpoint.
* I seem to recall that RCI charged a pretty steep fee to transfer ownership - at least a $100. I don't know for sure but I do remember thinking it was too high.

After it was all over, my father gave up and transferred it to me. I know about the legal process because I had to go through it all over again just like he had a few years earlier. I would say the process of transferring ownership from him to me took me about 90-120 days. I tried to exchange a few times through RCI but only ended up with off-season weeks to Branson and a really old property in South Lake Tahoe. The CA resort called one day and offered me a few thousand dollars to buy it back and I jumped at the opportunity.

All through this process we were DVC owners. There is truely no comparison to Disney's system/processes and what exists elsewhere.

Best of luck to you!

 

[Pixieflip]

Thank you for sharing your experiences. I have to say, this process is very discouraging. I've made a few calls, but in the end, I'm not sure it's worth as much as she thought it was. The dues are high (for what you get) and getting things transferred seems like quiet a hassel. I'm not even sure it's possible, she did not designate anyone to legally handle her estate. She didn't even appoint anyone guardian of her child. Ugh.