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Questions Answered by Peter Klose
1 Answer | Asked in Civil Litigation for New York on
Q: i have a question about tree line cutting.

Ilooked upcase law in new york Holser v

geerlott 2021 . I hired a guy to cut the trees down and i recieved $1630 dollars for the logs. Now my neighbor had a new survey done and the one stake does not match were my stakes were.I have 7trees then that were cut just over on his line. now... View More

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answered on Apr 17, 2024

Crazy that you should ask this question right now as a I prepare to go to a full jury trial for the removal of brush on a lot. Google RPAPL 861. The problem is that sometimes you can be liable for trespass, treble damages and punitive damages, depending upon the allegations and proof. You... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law for New York on
Q: My ex boyfriend and I are co-owners of a house. The new agreement says I have sole & exclusive residency of the property

Do I have to let him in the house when he shows up?

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answered on Jan 31, 2024

There are many "layers" to your question. First, you say "new agreement" -- does the agreement handle this issue. More importantly, do you intend to separate the ownership by doing a "buyout" of his interest. Do you have any legal restraints upon his presence in... View More

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4 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Real Estate Law for New York on
Q: Hello - This is a life estate question for Upstate New York. See below for more info.

Hello - In upstate New York, my uncle was given a life estate for the house he was living in. He has since moved out, allowed the house to fall into disrepair, and refuses to pay the taxes on the property or homeowners insurance which he was supposed to be doing. Does this invalidate his life... View More

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answered on Dec 1, 2024

Life estate deeds can be amended and terminated, but the process is not simple. You need the remainderman’s consent to reverse a life estate deed in New York. The same is true of making changes to the deed. This is why it’s crucial to choose your remainderman wisely. They should be someone you... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law and Estate Planning for New York on
Q: If wife signs a deed as executor when no estate was ever filed or executor appointed is it valid to transfer real estate
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answered on Oct 14, 2024

The answer is not clear from the facts you provide. It is hard to speculate as to whether it was effective or not. Was there a will, is the property located in NYS? Who else was named on the deed. . . . you need to pull the deed and speak with a real estate attorney. If there was a will, you... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law for New York on
Q: As the purchaser of a single-family home, can we hold the seller responsible for issues found after we move in?

We are concerned that we will find significant issues with the home after we move it but don't plan to move in for a couple years when we down-size our home.

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answered on Sep 5, 2024

Not sure what the law is in Virginia, but generally no (especially in New York). A "Closing" means that the matters are closed. Unless the Sellers affirmatively concealed a defect, which is extremely difficult to prove. Do your due diligence NOW.

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2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law for New York on
Q: what deed form do I file in the state of NY?

My father passed away November of 2023 in the State of New York, Cayuga County. He left no will. He owned a small parcel of land. I am the only next of kin. I went to court and obtained the letters of administration and went to the clerks office. They told me that I had to file a deed form but... View More

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answered on Feb 22, 2024

I would recommend working with a title company to file a deed. If you would like assistance, hire a local real estate attorney or give me a call and I can work with you to get it done.

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3 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law for New York on
Q: I have a purchase agreement now owner wants me to sign a rental agreement I plan to sue for breach of contract

By signing rental agreement will this hurt my court case for breach of contract

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answered on Feb 8, 2024

Your question is not detailed enough to make a decision and give legal advice. The real estate purchase agreement may have provisions which address this. There are pro's and con's of your course of action. You should consult with a local real estate attorney/litigator because you may... View More

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4 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law and Legal Malpractice for New York on
Q: Real Estate Closing, NY Is it legal for my lawyer to hire a lawyer to represent me at closing, without my permission?

I was charged for the outside lawyer to represent me at the closing.

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answered on Sep 1, 2023

It has been my experience that if you have a "retainer" agreement with the attorney, such agreement often includes language that says that the attorney might associate themselves with others to help you complete your matter. Often real estate closings occur without retainer agreements... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Elder Law, Real Estate Law and Family Law for New York on
Q: How do you go about pursuing elder abuse without the elders agreeing?

My sister is taking financial advantage of my parents. My parents know enough to agree she is but do not want to pursue legal ramifications . My concern is they will not have enough money to live out their years. Most recently my dad was removed from the deed of his second home while in the icu... View More

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answered on Apr 3, 2023

Sounds like you should pursue guardianship litigation, or get a power of attorney from your parents and then sue.

If your parents are letting your sister do it, you may have no grounds though

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4 Answers | Asked in Contracts, Real Estate Law, Tax Law and Business Formation for New York on
Q: Hi, I've put my apartment on Airbnb and curious how I should split the profit with my boyfriend.

I got the apartment(lease) by my self and lived there for a year by myself, I put down deposit, I paid a guarantor fee every month, decorated and bought all the furniture, I am doing all the daily maintenance of the Airbnb account and finding cleaner, photograper etc. My boyfriend moved in a year... View More

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answered on Feb 28, 2023

Your question raises some questions. Is your BF on the Lease? I am not sure how you obtained a Lease without a SSN, so I am not sure why that matters now. Also, does your landlord, municipality, and building permit short term rentals like AirBnB? Why is he entitled to any "profit."... View More

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4 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law for New York on
Q: Can a seller accept a 2nd purchase offer after signing and accepting mine in NY state?

I submitted a offer on a house. The seller countered and I accepted. The seller's agent then called my agent stating there was an escalation offer at ask and could we offer seller a little more. I offered $10,000 more. The seller accepted and signed the paperwork, which is sitting at... View More

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answered on Jul 22, 2020

It's a very hot market, maybe change your terms to some extent. Offer all "Cash" perhaps?

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3 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law for New York on
Q: my grandparents who are now both deceased the house is foreclosed. auction no one brought. can I call the bank?

the house went up for auction twice but didn't sell. can I call the bank and attempt to get the mortgage reinstated ?

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answered on Jul 9, 2020

If you qualify for a mortgage, you can buy the house like any other person. It's not clear from your question whether the auction was after a Judgment of Foreclosure. You might want to do some investigation into the status of the foreclosure. The bottom line is that the foreclosing bank... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Divorce and Real Estate Law for New York on
Q: Can I force refinance of mortgage, without divorce decree?

Divorced, haven’t lived in home for 4 years. Ex promised she would refinance, she hasn’t and won’t, mortgage company states that an assumption of mortgage cannot be done. There is no divorce decree, everything was settled privately, I took her at her word that she’d refinance . I want my... View More

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answered on Nov 18, 2019

I don't do matrimonial law, but I don't understand how you could be "divorced" without a Judgment of Divorce and Decree that adjudicates the sale of the house. You should be enforcing your rights through the divorce decree. Go to the attorneys and start an action to enforce the agreement.

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1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for New York on
Q: closing was cancelled due to condition of house

now im getting a big bill for charges acrrued due to searches in regards to title transfer.tax ,title ,minicipal and judgement. i have lost everything and have become a single unemployed mother because of this real estate thing and can not pay any more for a house that i did not buy

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answered on Jan 15, 2019

I am sorry your deal did not occur. Although it is difficult to tell from your post, it sounds as though you were the "buyer" of real property in New York. As your attorney likely told you, New York is a caveat emptor (buyer beware) state. That means, between you, your inspectors,... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law for New York on
Q: What happens if you buy or sell a property and the bathroom count is different than what is listed?

Say there are supposed to be 1.5 bathrooms but instead there are 2? What will happen when the bank appraises it for a mortgage?

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answered on Jan 9, 2019

In my view, the issue is not what the bank thinks, but whether there is a Certificate of Occupancy or other governmental approval for the bathroom "improvement." You should check with the building department of the local municipality to be sure that there are sufficient C/Os for the... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Contracts, Civil Litigation and Small Claims for New York on
Q: I’m sued for leaving a bad review on Better Business Bureau for bad customer service
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answered on Jan 9, 2019

You should hire a lawyer to defend you from any such litigation (you say you are "sued"). You should not default in any litigation.

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3 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law for New York on
Q: My sister bought me out of my share of our parents house with a personal mortgage to me before she passed away.

Her children refuse to honor a mortgage debt of 70,000 to me. What can I do? The mortgage was recorded.

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answered on Oct 30, 2017

Assuming that the mortgage was properly executed, you can foreclose on the Mortgage and you can also likely make a claim to the Estate for the Purchase Money Note that was likely signed at the the time.

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4 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law for New York on
Q: What are the laws regarding webcams and "reasonable expectation of privacy". A neighbor wants my nature cam moved.

I live on a lake and have a webcam in my window that shows my yard and the lake. It also shows mine and my neighbors dock. The docks extend out to the water from the two lots. Cam can be viewed on my website 24/7. My neighbors have asked me to move the camera when they are home on the weekends... View More

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answered on Jun 21, 2017

There are two layers to this question, the legal and the practical. From a legal perspective, I am unaware of any rule, regulation, or other law that prohibits your camera's view. From a practical point of view, do you really want to pick this fight with your neighbors? We all have to... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Business Law, Contracts, Landlord - Tenant and Small Claims for New York on
Q: Does owning and renting out a home in New York State constitute doing business in New York State?

Small claims court will only take cases in which both parties live or do business in that town. Can a tenant sue in small claims court a landlord living in NJ but owning a house in a town in NYS?

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answered on Jun 20, 2017

I would check with the Town Justice Court, but my guess is that if you list the address of the house (owner) and the address in NJ, you will get the case started, and the Landlord will appear

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3 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law for New York on
Q: If an licensed inspector inspects a home finds nothing wrong can the buyers still submit bill for repairs after closing?
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answered on Jun 8, 2017

Don't understand the question. If the house "closed" it closed, and the buyers would be fixing it themselves.

If the contract called for certain repairs, then the Seller would be paying.

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