Does this sound familiar? A loved one passes away, and as the family navigates their grief, they begin sorting through their financial affairs—only to discover an unexpected and unwelcome surprise: a timeshare.

At first, it might seem like just another account to close, a simple matter of notifying the company of the owner’s passing. But then the truth sets in. The contract didn’t end with their death. Instead, the timeshare company claims that responsibility now falls on the children. The heirs—who never signed anything, never used the property, and never agreed to any fees—are suddenly being billed for thousands of dollars in annual maintenance costs.

Options? There aren’t many. Selling it is nearly impossible, as countless other owners are desperately trying to unload their timeshares. The so-called "exit programs" require hefty fees upfront, adding insult to injury. Lawyers advise that the best course of action may be simply refusing to pay and waiting for the timeshare company to foreclose—hoping that it doesn’t lead to damaged credit, aggressive collection calls, or even legal action.

This is why I am advocating for the rights of children to opt out of inheriting timeshares or, better yet, for timeshares to be made illegal altogether. No one should be forced into a financial obligation they never agreed to. At the end of the day, timeshare owners are essentially paying for someone else’s mortgage—except they never gain equity, never pay it off, and can never truly escape. It is a predatory system designed to trap families for generations, and it needs to end.

Families should be able to grieve the loss of their loved ones without the added burden of fighting a timeshare company. It’s time for legislative action to protect consumers and their heirs from these unethical practices. If this story hits close to home, you’re not alone. Let’s stand together and push for change.