[rsynnott]

Only thing I can think of is that the author was a guarantor on the mother’s debt. Which I suppose is possible. Even still though I don’t understand why the house would go to the state.

The book she mentions is pretty old, but the situation with her mother she mentions is current.

[mindslight]

The house going to the state could be due to Medicaid reimbursement. But I share your general frustration that when such details are glossed over it tends to propagate myths (two, in this example). If this is what happened, a will wouldn't have helped. Deeding over the house while keeping a life estate or putting it into a formal irrevocable trust, before the lookback period, could have.