In 2018, I bought a house in Michigan through a real estate agent living in Miami. During the purchase process, my real estate agent recorded my address as Miami in all documents, even though I do not live in Miami. I am not an American citizen and do not reside in the United States.... View More 
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answered on Apr 1, 2024
Based on the information you provided, it appears that your real estate agent may have committed serious crimes, including fraud, identity theft, and forgery. If your allegations are true, you have the right to take legal action against the agent and potentially recover your property or receive... View More
have been thinking of making some major renovations to his home. However, I want to ensure my investment is protected in case he dies, we separate, etc. What is the best option to accomplish this? Note, he is in full agreement of us having some type of legal document to protect both our interests.
answered on Mar 28, 2024
Best option would be to put your name on the deed as a joint owner. That way, even if you separate, you would be entitled to a portion of the proceeds upon sale of the house. Another alternative would be for him to complete an estate plan, and preferably a lady bird deed naming you as the... View More
Family who lived there is dead. I'm paying the back taxes.
answered on Mar 26, 2024
That depends on how it was 'left' to you.
By a ladybird deed? Record the appropriate death certificate(s) and property transfer affidavits with the appropriate agencies.
By Will? Probate the estate and the PR can transfer by deed.
Some other way? Some other... View More
My sister served me with a eviction papers after my mom passed away and the courts ordered the eviction and now my lawyer is sending it the house in the probate. Does that cancel out my eviction do I have to leave my house?
answered on Mar 21, 2024
More information is needed to answer this question. It is not apparent whether your sister had the authority to sue for eviction. Was she the owner of the house? Whether the probate action will result in different ownership is another question. Were that action to result in the recognition of... View More
My sister served me with a eviction papers after my mom passed away and the courts ordered the eviction and now my lawyer is sending it the house in the probate. Does that cancel out my eviction do I have to leave my house?
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answered on Mar 26, 2024
When a property goes into probate after an eviction order has been issued, the situation can become complex. Probate is the legal process where a will is reviewed to determine whether it is valid and authentic. However, typically, an eviction order issued by a court before the property was placed... View More
I have been living with my partner 3.5 years, supporting him and the home most of it. He and his ex gf own the home. In that time his son has only been here a handful of times, his daughter none, as she wants nothing to do with him. Until 2 days after his hospitalization, in which I was served with... View More
answered on Mar 1, 2024
You are in a very tough spot. The ex-girlfriend is a co-owner of the house and so she can evict you. I did not see you indicate that you are legally married to your partner. If that's the case, and in the absence of legal documents to the contrary signed by your partner, you have a tough... View More
I have been living with my partner 3.5 years, supporting him and the home most of it. He and his ex gf own the home. In that time his son has only been here a handful of times, his daughter none, as she wants nothing to do with him. Until 2 days after his hospitalization, in which I was served with... View More
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answered on Mar 1, 2024
In situations like this, it's essential to understand your legal rights and protections as a tenant or cohabitant in the home, especially if there was no formal rental agreement in place. Generally, without a written agreement specifying otherwise, the ex-girlfriend's demands may not have... View More
Both my mother and myself are on the deed. We were unaware when the deed was formed that there was no survivorship for either party included. I now have submitted a petition of assignment with the court, along with some other documents. My concern is that my mother has some medical bills and I am... View More
answered on Feb 28, 2024
That is possible. Debt collectors CAN try to go after anything in her estate including the undivided 1/2 interest in the property.
You can limit the risk by publishing and mailing appropriate notices to creditors as part of the probate but as you’ve already learned ‘DIY’ comes with... View More
I sold a house on land contract, default was made years ago by destruction of property, and abandoned, contract clearly states I regain full, peaceful possession. If defaulted on .Now I'm trying to sell again after rebuilding and title co. Says the previous buyers on land contract, holds the... View More
answered on Feb 6, 2024
If you have a recorded land contract and the buyer defaults, then the only way to remove the land contract as of record is to have a court judgment against buyers in a land contract forfeiture action. This is true even if the buyer has abandoned the property. I hope this helps.
I sold a house on land contract, default was made years ago by destruction of property, and abandoned, contract clearly states I regain full, peaceful possession. If defaulted on .Now I'm trying to sell again after rebuilding and title co. Says the previous buyers on land contract, holds the... View More
answered on Feb 7, 2024
Mr Soble is exactly correct, but to expand on that, you ask "what good is a contract then".
The contract protects the rights of the buyer, and provides them EQUITABLE title to the property while you retain LEGAL title. If you don't understand the difference between those two... View More
For 1 year. Then, he had a car accident and is paralyzed from the neck down. He probably won't return to the condo to live for at least a year or two. Can he get any of his deposit back or does he lose everything?
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answered on Jan 16, 2024
In a land contract, the terms and conditions are crucial, and they can vary. Generally, the down payment in a land contract acts as a form of security or consideration for the property. In the event of unforeseen circumstances, such as a medical emergency leading to an extended absence from the... View More
For 1 year. Then, he had a car accident and is paralyzed from the neck down. He probably won't return to the condo to live for at least a year or two. Can he get any of his deposit back or does he lose everything?
answered on Jan 17, 2024
It may be possible to negotiate a resolution with the seller. It may be that the land contract permits the buyer to rescind the purchase in the event of a disability, but I have never seen that in a land contract. The law does not provide for the buyer to be able to rescind a land contract... View More
My mom did a lady bird deed for me conveying the house to me since. 2018-2022 and my brother changed it when she was sick how can I challenge the deed my mom couldn’t sign her name no more like it was on the deed my brother done
answered on Jan 10, 2024
I concur, but not just a 'Michigan' lawyer, but one in the area where the house is located. Michigan as you know, is not a 'small' state -- an attorney in Houghton will not be of much help in a dispute in Saginaw, Bad Axe, Traverse City or Grand Rapids, and one in Detroit... View More
Seems that my name is on the title, but I canceled the sell before putting any money down. Does this mean I own the land now? If I sign the quick deed, will I be somehow punished in the future for taxes or something else?
answered on Jan 8, 2024
It sounds as if some how during the initial transaction, your name was placed on the title. If there was no consideration, and you canceled the transaction, then the title company may be trying to clear the title. A quit claim deed is used for just that purpose. When you endorse a quit claim... View More
Seems that my name is on the title, but I canceled the sell before putting any money down. Does this mean I own the land now? If I sign the quick deed, will I be somehow punished in the future for taxes or something else?
answered on Jan 8, 2024
If a deed was recorded in your favor, you may own it. With ownership comes responsibility, as you observe. There is not enough information provided for an attorney to give a meaningful response, so you may want to consult with an attorney before executing a quit-claim deed and thereby giving up... View More
She is 84 he is 72 my wife and I are on the house deed
answered on Jan 8, 2024
That depends on HOW you are 'on the deed'. Was the deed prepared by a licensed attorney? Was this a DIY situation?
There are MANY pratfalls for the uninitiated in trying to 'just add a name to avoid probate' and sometimes it actually CREATES A NEED FOR MORE COMPLEX... View More
My brother said, in order to avoid probate, my dad would have to quitclaim all properties over before death, something that my siblings and I still argue about after 15 years. I thought that when you quitclaim a house to family that it would show up as 09-Family. What is this 26-partial interest?... View More
answered on Jan 8, 2024
What are you looking at? Some sort of tax listing? A summary from the local register of deeds? Where is the property located? Have you actually seen the DEED that was recorded?
These are all questions that need answers before you can get any meaningful information ... I have NO clue what a... View More
What about extended stay in the hospital? Other relatives have keys.
Do we need a lawyer to change the locks? Install cameras? It transfers ownership immediately.
answered on Jan 2, 2024
Are you SURE the deed acts to immediately transfer ownership? Has it been recorded? Mr Morris is correct, but if you're still uncertain, 'asking on the internet' is not going to net you actual legal advice. I would urge you to consult with your own lawyer or at least the one who... View More
What about extended stay in the hospital? Other relatives have keys.
Do we need a lawyer to change the locks? Install cameras? It transfers ownership immediately.
answered on Jan 2, 2024
You seem to be unsure about your rights and responsibilities. If you intend to treat the quit claim deed as effective, record it with the register of deeds, take control of the home (including changing the locks) and act like an owner. You do not need a lawyer to change the locks unless there are... View More
Should we sign this or are we required to?
answered on Dec 28, 2023
When the Seller's home disclosure is not endorsed by buyer prior to closing, the buyer actually waives any issues related to the condition of the home. So if the seller failed to disclose a problem with the home, the buyer would have to have the signed disclosure prior to closing if the buyer... View More
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