When you own a timeshare, a shared vacation property where you buy the right to use a unit for a set time each year. Also known as vacation ownership, it’s not like owning a house—your rights don’t automatically vanish when you die. But if you don’t plan for it, your family could inherit a financial burden instead of a benefit.
Many people assume their timeshare will just disappear after they’re gone. It doesn’t. The resort still expects annual maintenance fees, special assessments, and sometimes even financing payments. If no one takes over the contract, the estate may be held responsible—or worse, the resort could take legal action. That’s why timeshare inheritance, the process of passing a timeshare to heirs after the owner’s death is critical. It’s not just about who gets to use the unit; it’s about who gets stuck paying for it.
There are three real paths for a timeshare after death: transfer to a beneficiary, disclaim it, or let it go into probate. Transferring it means your will or trust names someone who wants it—maybe a child who loves going there every summer. But they need to know what they’re signing up for: fees that can run $800 to $3,000 a year, depending on location and size. If no one wants it, you can leave instructions to timeshare estate planning, the legal steps to manage or eliminate vacation ownership in your estate. This might mean working with a specialist to surrender the contract before you pass, or setting up a clause that lets your executor cancel it without penalty.
Some people try to sell their timeshare after death—but that’s rarely easy. The resale market is flooded, and most buyers want deep discounts. Resorts rarely buy back units unless they’re part of a specific program. And if the estate doesn’t pay the fees, the timeshare company can report the debt to credit agencies, which can hurt your heirs’ finances even if they didn’t want the property.
That’s why knowing your options ahead of time matters. If you own a timeshare and haven’t thought about what happens after you’re gone, you’re not alone. But you’re also leaving your family with a problem they didn’t ask for. The good news? You can fix it now. Whether you want to pass it on, cancel it, or make sure your estate isn’t dragged into fees, there are clear steps you can take.
In the posts below, you’ll find real advice from people who’ve been through this—how to handle timeshare contracts after death, what fees to expect, how to disclaim ownership legally, and whether there are smarter ways to enjoy vacation homes without the long-term risk. No fluff. Just what you need to know before it’s too late.
