Camp Ownership. Structure

[JustABritCrazy]

You PA guys should check DCNR’s Bureaau of Forestry website for leased cabins. They have a set of sample by laws posted there for the lease holders to use. They are pretty straightforward and simple. Also you can have every member get a share in the camp. Make the shares worth a dollar. Easy and cheap to pay them off if need be and it’s not “ worthless” so that eliminates that argument. I watched many camps decent into a war over use and ownership. Particularly when the guy who ran things died. Also Marcellus Shale money (greed) caused huge rifts in a number of the Lycoming County hunting clubs.

 

[Jakerex]

You PA guys should check DCNR’s Bureaau of Forestry website for leased cabins. They have a set of sample by laws posted there for the lease holders to use. They are pretty straightforward and simple. Also you can have every member get a share in the camp. Make the shares worth a dollar. Easy and cheap to pay them off if need be and it’s not “ worthless” so that eliminates that argument. I watched many camps decent into a war over use and ownership. Particularly when the guy who ran things died. Also Marcellus Shale money (greed) caused huge rifts in a number of the Lycoming County hunting clubs.

Thanks, I'll do that

 

[Rich M]

In these types of situations how do you make other owners chip in for repairs?
In my situation no one ever completely finished the cabin. It’s been drywall and warped paneling since the 70’s.
I want it to be nice for the next generation. No one wants to chip for upgrades or the bills. It also needs a new roof. Nobody wanted to split the cost since I use it the most. So I did offer to buy so it wouldn’t turn into a fight later, but I was fortunate nobody wanted a dime.
I guess I don’t understand how you can make someone pay if they don’t agree with the repair or have the money. But I’m not a lawyer.
I’m curious because I would like to set this up for the next generation.

Did you go thru with the paperwork to take possession and ownership? Once you dump a bunch of $ into it, wives start liking it and then everyone else wants to use it.

 

[Gseith]

Did you go thru with the paperwork to take possession and ownership? Once you dump a bunch of $ into it, wives start liking it and then everyone else wants to use it.

My father left it to us all. The deeds have been transferred to my wife and I a couple months ago. There is a couple lots attached to it.
That’s my goal to make it nice so people want to be there all the time. I really didn’t have a problem dumping money into it because I enjoy sitting in a nice camp.
The more I was putting into made me think that I didn’t want to get in a situation where I pay all the bills, taxes, remodeling cost, and general upkeep and lose it if someone decided to sell when it was worth more because of my money and work. I guess what I’m saying is I got worried I might have to buy back all my hard work. No one disagreed. They may when it’s done next year.
But like my great grandfather, then grandfather, and father I hope to keep it in our name. I have two boys, and my brother has a little girl. I hope I can figure out the best option that works for them all to enjoy it.

 

[Rich M]

My father left it to us all. The deeds have been transferred to my wife and I a couple months ago. There is a couple lots attached to it.
That’s my goal to make it nice so people want to be there all the time. I really didn’t have a problem dumping money into it because I enjoy sitting in a nice camp.
The more I was putting into made me think that I didn’t want to get in a situation where I pay all the bills, taxes, remodeling cost, and general upkeep and lose it if someone decided to sell when it was worth more because of my money and work. I guess what I’m saying is I got worried I might have to buy back all my hard work. No one disagreed. They may when it’s done next year.
But like my great grandfather, then grandfather, and father I hope to keep it in our name. I have two boys, and my brother has a little girl. I hope I can figure out the best option that works for them all to enjoy it.

You highlighted my concern. I hope everyone likes it and you get to pass it along for many generations.

 

[loganwayne]

Hmmm, so if you want out you have to leave with nothing, except if you're lucky last, in which case you can sell it.

Sounds like a raw deal again.

You could always write a clause that if no one wants it the land gets gifted to the state to use only as game lands, or a similar land conservation group. Thats happening alot near me

 

[ianpadron]

Handing down a family hunting camp from siblings to the next gen is smart, but joint deed ownership like tenancy in common can turn into a shitshow with disputes, uneven shares, or probate headaches. Here's the real deal

Go LLC hand down the winner. It's a simple entity where you deed the property to the LLC, and family members own shares flexible percentages, easy to pass down. Pros Shields personal assets from lawsuits e.g., someone twists an ankle, clear operating agreement spells out rule's usage, costs, buyouts, simpler transfers without probate. Cons: Minor setup fees $100-500 lawyer for the agreement and annual state filings $50. Perfect for keeping it in the bloodline without drama.

Skip nonprofit. That's for social clubs with dues/voting 501 c7, not private family stuff too much paperwork, IRS hoops, and no real perks here.

Tenancy in common? Nah, that's basically what you have now easy but no liability protection, and death means probate mess for heirs.

Hit up a local real estate lawyer hunting land specialists if possible for a custom op agreement. I've seen families save fortunes and relationships this way. Do it now before the handoff. Good luck keeping the tradition alive!

An LLC is not the tool for this job.

A trust is.

Having fractional shares of something invites similar issues as tenants in common.

A trust accomplishes all the stated goals, and the docs can be written to treat beneficiaries exactly as gen 1 intended, for perpetuity.

 

[ianpadron]

In these types of situations how do you make other owners chip in for repairs?
In my situation no one ever completely finished the cabin. It’s been drywall and warped paneling since the 70’s.
I want it to be nice for the next generation. No one wants to chip for upgrades or the bills. It also needs a new roof. Nobody wanted to split the cost since I use it the most. So I did offer to buy so it wouldn’t turn into a fight later, but I was fortunate nobody wanted a dime.
I guess I don’t understand how you can make someone pay if they don’t agree with the repair or have the money. But I’m not a lawyer.
I’m curious because I would like to set this up for the next generation.

You draft trust documents where everything is spelled out to the t. Who pays for what, and when, and what are the repercussions for beneficiary status in the event of non-performance. Go chat with a lawyer, it's really straightforward!