Richard Lewis took legal steps to ensure his wife of 19 years Joyce Lapinsky would be able to remain in their LA home following his death at 76

Richard Lewis took legal measures to ensure his wife Joyce Lapinsky would be able to remain living in the Los Angeles home they shared in the wake of his passing.

The beloved comic, who died at 76 Tuesday following a fatal heart attack, took a series of steps with their real estate portfolio, changing the home's standard mortgage to an assignment of rents trust deed, according to records reviewed by the New York Post. 

The traditional mortgage operates with the property itself serving as collateral in the transaction, whereas the assignment of rents trust deed focuses on how much money could be made by renting it, the outlet reported after reviewing the records.

If the borrowing party defaults on payments, the lending party is then able to take rent payments from people who would move in, erasing any debts attached to the property.

Lewis and Lapinsky, 72, bought the 2,200-square foot Hollywood Hills house - which has three bedrooms and three bathrooms - for a sum of $1.53 million in 2016, property records indicated. They subsequently took out a loan for $2.02 million to renovate the property.

Richard Lewis took legal measures to ensure his wife Joyce Lapinsky, 72, would be able to remain living in the LA home they shared in the wake of his passing. Pictured in LA in 2018

The beloved comic, who died at 76 Tuesday following a fatal heart attack, took a series of steps with their real estate portfolio, changing the home's standard mortgage to an assignment of rents trust deed. Pictured in 2017 in LA

The pair had a $1 million balance on their mortgage as of last August, according to property records reviewed by the outlet.

The loan had a repayment end date of 2046 beforehand, but after Lewis implemented the trust deed, it was extended through 2053, which would reduce the monthly totals Lapinsky would have to pay.

The midcentury-modern home, which is located at the Lake Hollywood Estates, includes a patio and pool with a view of the Hollywood sign, according to the outlet.

The floors are composed of Chinese mineral stained slate and bamboo; while the home's walls open, leading to the patio.

Lewis and Lapinsky began dating in 1998 after hitting it off at a record release party for Ringo Starr.

They had met years earlier when a mutual friend tried to matchmake them during the time he appeared ion the ABC series Anything But Love from 1989-1992, but Lapinsky was reticent to move further with him at the time, as he was dealing with an addiction battle. 

Lewis was in a better place when they crossed paths again years later and vowed to pal Bob Costas he was 'going to marry' her when they crossed paths at the record release bash, according to the outlet.

They got engaged in 2004, exchanging vows the next year. 

Lewis and Lapinsky initially met in 1998 at a record release party for Ringo Starr. Pictured in LA in 2018

They got engaged in 2004, exchanging vows the next year. Pictured in LA in 2018

 Lewis said that he had been 'doing quite well' health-wise amid his Parkinson's disease battle in an interview less than three weeks ago. Pictured in NYC in 2015 

In an interview less than three weeks ago, Lewis said that he had been 'doing quite well' health-wise amid his Parkinson's disease battle.

Lewis spoke with People February 9, saying that he was 'disappointed' that he had to skip a January 30 season 12 premiere party for Curb Your Enthusiasm, to avoid any setbacks amid his health battle.

'I have some occasional walking difficulties with Parkinson's the last couple of years,' Lewis, who played a fictionalized version of himself on HBO's Curb Your Enthusiasm since 2000, told the publication. 'It's not major.'

Lewis continued: 'I'm getting through it fine so far, but I didn't want to go to, spend five or six hours mingling with so many people. It's just asking for trouble.'

Lewis, who appeared in films such as Robin Hood: Men in Tights, Wagons East, Once Upon a Crime... and Leaving Las Vegas, wrapped up in saying, 'All things considered, I'm doing quite well.'

The comedian took to social media April 24, 2023, revealing he'd been battling Parkinson's disease since 2021.

'Hey listen, I just wrapped a couple of weeks ago season 12 of Curb Your Enthusiasm and it was just an amazing season and I'm so grateful to be a part of that show,' he said. 'But you know the last three-and-a-half years, I've had sort of a rocky time and people said, "I haven't heard from you, are you still touring?"

Lewis said, 'Well, here's really what happened,' noting he decided to stop touring three-and-a-half years back, feeling like the time had come.

The comedian took to social media April 24, 2023, revealing he'd been battling Parkinson's disease since 2021 

'I said, "You know, I'm at the top of my game - after 50 years almost, I'm just going to call it quits,"' he said. 'And I felt great about that. And then out of the blue, the s*** hit the fan.'

Lewis said he underwent four consecutive surgeries on his back, shoulder and hip, adding that 'it was bad luck, but that's life.'

Lewis said that 'on top of all of that,' he began 'walking a little stiffly' and 'shuffling' his feet two years back, leading him to visit a neurologist. He said he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease following a brain scan.

'Luckily I got it late in life, and they say you progress very slowly if at all and I'm on the right meds and it's cool,' Lewis said. 'I just wanted you to know that that's where it's been at.

'I'm finished with standup, I'm just focusing on writing and acting. I have Parkinson's disease but I'm under a doctor's care and everything is cool and I love my wife, I love my little puppy dog and I love all of my friends and my fans.'

Lewis' lifelong friend Larry David was among those to mourn him publicly upon news of his passing.

'Richard and I were born three days apart in the same hospital and for most of my life he’s been like a brother to me,' David said in a statement released by HBO. 'He had that rare combination of being the funniest person and also the sweetest. But today he made me sob and for that I’ll never forgive him.'

Among the other notable names in entertainment who hailed the late comedian included Bette Midler, Steve Martin, Jimmy Kimmel, Jamie Lee Curtis, Albert Brooks and Michael McKean, among others.