Navigating Timeshare Inheritance: Understanding Your Options

Receiving a timeshare inheritance can feel like two things at once: a meaningful connection to a loved one and a financial obligation you weren’t expecting. The good news is that you have options. Heirs generally have several paths available — keep and use it, rent it out, gift it to a family member, sell it on the resale market, or formally decline it through a legal process called a Disclaimer of Interest. This guide will walk you through each option clearly, so you can make a confident, informed decision. And if selling turns out to be the right move, Timeshare Broker Associates is here to make that process straightforward.

What Is Timeshare Inheritance?

Like most property, a timeshare becomes part of a deceased person’s estate. From there, it can be passed to heirs or beneficiaries — but how that transfer works depends on the type of ownership.

• Deeded timeshares are treated like traditional real estate. They can be passed through a will or estate and are subject to standard probate procedures.
• Points-based timeshares and Right-to-Use (RTU) contracts function more like memberships or long-term leases. RTU contracts — common in international resorts, particularly in Mexico — expire after a set period and may not transfer automatically to heirs.

Understanding which type of timeshare you’ve inherited is the first step. From there, the path forward becomes much clearer.

Why Does the Timeshare Keep Billing After a Loved One Passes?

You may have received an invoice from the resort and thought — didn’t this expire when they passed? In most cases, a deeded timeshare does not expire.

Many deeded timeshare contracts include a perpetuity clause, which means ownership — and all associated financial responsibilities — continues indefinitely. The resort keeps billing the estate until ownership is formally transferred or relinquished.

Don’t ignore correspondence from the resort. Fees accrue regardless of whether the inherited timeshare is being used, and unresolved balances can complicate the estate. According to the ARDA, the average timeshare maintenance fee in 2024 was $1,480 per year. These fees cover property upkeep, amenity updates, staff wages, and emergency reserve funds.

What Are the Financial Obligations of Inheriting a Timeshare?

Before deciding what to do with an inherited timeshare, it’s worth understanding what you’d be taking on financially.

• Annual maintenance fees — paid yearly, whether or not the timeshare is used.
• Annual dues — typically apply to points-based ownerships and help cover multiple properties within a resort network.
• Special assessments — intermittent costs for major repairs or renovations that fall outside the regular maintenance budget.
• Property taxes — applicable only for deeded week-style ownerships.

These costs tend to increase over time. That’s not a reason to panic, but it is something to weigh carefully as you evaluate your options.

Do I Have To Accept a Timeshare Inheritance?

No, you are not always required to accept an inherited timeshare.

Heirs can file a Disclaimer of Interest, a legal document submitted to the estate executor or probate court that formally refuses the inheritance. However, there are conditions:

• The disclaimer must be filed within a specific window (the timeframe varies by state and resort).
• The heir cannot have used or financially benefited from the timeshare before filing.
• Once accepted and processed, the timeshare typically reverts to the estate or back to the resort.

This route can be a clean exit in certain situations, but the process varies widely. Consulting a qualified estate attorney before filing is strongly recommended.

What Are My Options With an Inherited Timeshare?

For those who choose to accept the inheritance, navigating the next steps can often feel overwhelming. To help you make an informed decision, here is a practical and detailed breakdown of the four main paths heirs typically take when deciding how to manage, or transition, their newly acquired timeshare.

Keep and Enjoy It

If you’re a frequent traveler — or if you have fond memories tied to the resort — keeping the timeshare can be genuinely rewarding. Ownership provides access to luxury accommodations, consistent vacation planning, and exchange networks like RCI and Interval International, which allow you to travel to destinations worldwide.

According to ARDA, over 85% of timeshare owners describe their ownership experience as good, very good, or excellent. If you’re on the fence, take time to research the resort and explore what the membership offers before making a final call.

Rent It Out

Not ready to commit to selling, but not planning to use your timeshare every year? Renting it out can be a smart middle ground. By posting your timeshare on a reputable platform like BuyATimeshare.com, you can connect with qualified renters quickly and with confidence. Rental income can offset — or in some cases, fully cover — annual maintenance fees, easing the financial burden while you decide on a longer-term plan.

Gift Your Timeshare Inheritance to a Family Member

If the timeshare carries sentimental value within your family, transferring it to a relative who will use and enjoy it is always an option. Just be sure to complete the proper legal transfer paperwork to formalize the change in ownership and avoid any billing confusion down the road.

Sell It on the Resale Market

For many heirs, selling is simply the most practical exit. It’s a completely legal, well-established process — and working with a licensed brokerage makes it far more manageable than going it alone.

Timeshare Broker Associates is a full-service licensed timeshare resale brokerage with over 15 years of experience helping owners navigate the secondary market. There are no upfront fees to list your timeshare. Licensed agents handle marketing, buyer outreach, contracts, and coordination with a reputable title company from start to finish. Timeshare Broker Associates works with many of the industry’s top brands, including Disney, Wyndham, Marriott, and Hilton.

How to Plan Ahead: Estate Planning Tips for Current Timeshare Owners

If you currently own a timeshare, a little planning now can save your heirs a great deal of stress later. Two strategies are worth knowing about.

Revocable Living Trust

Placing a timeshare into a revocable living trust means the trust — not you as an individual — legally owns the property. Key benefits include:

• Bypasses probate court, saving heirs time and legal costs.
• Provides clear instructions for how the timeshare should be managed or transferred.
• May offer certain tax advantages, depending on your location.
• Avoids title complications that can arise when adding beneficiaries directly to a deed.

For most owners, a living trust is considered the more protective and flexible option.

Joint Tenancy

Titling a timeshare in joint tenancy with a spouse or adult child means ownership passes automatically to the surviving co-owner — often bypassing probate initially. However, there are trade-offs:

• All parties must agree on major decisions, including selling or renting.
• If one co-owner faces creditor claims, the timeshare could be at risk.
• Once all joint owners have passed, the property will still need to go through probate.

Joint tenancy can work well in straightforward situations, but a trust typically provides more legal protection and flexibility over time.

A note: Timeshare Broker Associates specializes in timeshare resales — not estate law. Always consult a qualified estate planning attorney to determine the right fit for your situation.

Common Questions About Timeshare Inheritance

“My parent willed me a timeshare, and I don’t want it. Am I stuck?”
No. You can file a Disclaimer of Interest within a specific timeframe to formally refuse the inheritance. Speak with an estate attorney promptly, as the window to file is limited.

“Can siblings inherit a timeshare together?”
Yes, shared timeshare inheritance is possible. However, joint ownership can complicate billing and decision-making down the line. An estate or real estate attorney can help you sort out the details early.

“Why am I getting billed if I haven’t accepted the timeshare yet?”
Because deeded timeshares are owned in perpetuity, the resort continues to bill the estate until ownership is formally transferred or relinquished. If you inherited a timeshare and do not want to pay ongoing fees, don’t wait — address it as soon as possible to avoid accumulating fees.

“Should I hire a lawyer to cancel the timeshare contract?”
Timeshare exit companies and attorneys who promise contract cancellations often come with high upfront costs and unpredictable outcomes. Selling through a licensed brokerage like Timeshare Broker Associates is typically a more transparent and reliable path to exiting an unwanted timeshare.

You Have Options for Your Timeshare Inheritance — And We’re Here to Help

Timeshare inheritance doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Once you understand your options — keeping, renting, gifting, selling, or disclaiming — you’re back in control of the situation. The most important thing is to act promptly. Fees continue to accrue, and the sooner you have a plan, the better.

If you’ve inherited a timeshare and are considering selling, the team at Timeshare Broker Associates is ready to help. With no upfront fees, licensed real estate agents, and over 15 years of experience, the resale process is handled with transparency and professionalism from start to finish. Call us today at (407) 917-8432 or visit our website to get started.