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Questions Answered by Carl Nelson
2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law for New York on
Q: I believe I am a heir to my mothers ties to a property her second husband had when he passed away.

My mother is also deceased. The property is up for foreclosure and an administrator was assigned I think. I've been getting pestered by investors to sell my share and the deceased family to sign forms last three years

Carl Nelson
Carl Nelson
answered on May 9, 2023

I’m not totally sure what your question is.

First I would suggest you obtain a better grasp on your interest(s) and who the relevant parties are (e.g. whether there is an administrator and whether you were in fact an heir to property).

Next I would be very cautious about...
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1 Answer | Asked in Foreclosure and Real Estate Law for New York on
Q: Can a lawyer represent a person when said person never retained said lawyer?

The person claiming to be the lawyer of said person is said person's ex brother-in-law and married to the POA of said person's ex husband

Carl Nelson
Carl Nelson
answered on May 4, 2023

In the absence of an unusual circumstance such as where there has been a guardian appointed to represent the best interests of the principal, an attorney cannot represent someone without the principal's knowledge and consent to do so.

1 Answer | Asked in Banking and Consumer Law for New York on
Q: Under the law 15 usc 1662B I’m I required to put a down payment on a auto financing loan Yes or no
Carl Nelson
Carl Nelson
answered on Apr 28, 2023

The section you refer to (I am assuming 15 USC 1662, which does not have a subparagraph "B") deals with advertisements for the extension of consumer credit. It prohibits such an ad from stating that a specified down payment is required *unless* that creditor usually and customarily... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for New York on
Q: Can my landlord charge me for utilities even though it was included when we signed our lease?

When we moved in we signed our lease and utilities were included. Now her electric and gas bill is up and she's trying to make us pay for a portion of it, saying that she's only one person and she doesn't use much electricity and we're 2 people so we use more. But we're... View More

Carl Nelson
Carl Nelson
answered on Apr 10, 2023

You should clarify what the lease says, because in your question you indicate both that “utilities were included,” and also that the lease states that “Lessee [you] shall be responsible for… paying for all utility services required on the leased premises.” Where does it state that the... 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

Carl Nelson
Carl Nelson
answered on Apr 3, 2023

It is unclear from the scenario you presented whether your parents are of sound mind. If so, you will not have standing to pursue actions that they are not interested in taking. You cannot force another person to litigate something in their interest that they do not want to. And you cannot force... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law for New York on
Q: When brothers own a joint mortgage on a duplex and one can't continue to pay because they are going to a nursing home?

we each live on our own sides I am concerned medicaid would some how intervene or would the other half go to the remaining joint owner.

Carl Nelson
Carl Nelson
answered on Apr 2, 2023

I agree with Mr Smollens. Regarding the note and mortgage, you are each jointly and severally liable, which means that each bears legal responsibility on the whole amount. As well, the property itself is liable, which means that if the note is not paid, the lender may be able to foreclose upon... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law for New York on
Q: If a purchaser terminates a real estate contract and forgoes the deposit - is there a special legal termination form?

What is the termination form called ?

Carl Nelson
Carl Nelson
answered on Mar 31, 2023

The buyer’s attorney (or the buyer if there is not attorney) would notify the seller’s attorney of the intent to cancel. Of course the contract will have a “notice” section which would control the means and manner of any notice to be made concerning the contract.

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2 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy for New York on
Q: Roomates income adding to mine for chapter 7 means test?

My brother lives with me in the house i own. He pays me $200 a week for rent but otherwise our finances are independent. Would I need to add his total income to mine for calculating income for the means test? Or would i just count what he pays me? Does he count for household size? I live in... View More

Carl Nelson
Carl Nelson
answered on Mar 30, 2023

As a general matter, you would could the money he pays you, not his income. Bankruptcy is very complicated and can affect the filer legally and financially in myriad ways. I’d highly recommend you at least consult with bankruptcy counsel, most will meet without an initial charge…and it’s... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Contracts, Real Estate Law, Land Use & Zoning and Landlord - Tenant for New York on
Q: I guess the question is, how in any way could a contract, lease, agreement, etc. be enforceable if it wasn't signed?
Carl Nelson
Carl Nelson
answered on Mar 30, 2023

Contracts generally do not need to be in writing to be enforceable. Certain types of contracts do, such as those for the sale of real property or leases for periods of more than year. But unless excepted from the “statute of frauds” which requires certain agreements to be memorialized in... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Land Use & Zoning and Real Estate Law for New York on
Q: My sister was "offered an agreement" in her mobile home park. She did not sign the lease. Is she bound by the agreement?
Carl Nelson
Carl Nelson
answered on Mar 30, 2023

As a general matter, and there may be some exceptions where, e.g., performance begins or acceptance may be implied, an “offer” is just that, and until both sides agree (by the other side accepting the offer) to something, it is not enforceable.

2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning, Real Estate Law, Elder Law and Probate for New York on
Q: What needs to be done when there's a life estate on a property, the life tenant dies & owes $ to a rehab nursing center?

Hello,

My father died in early January of this year. He held a Life Estate on his home and my sister is listed as the remainderman on the deed. We filed the death certificate with the Town of Riverhead.

My father owes a large sum of money to the rehab nursing center he was in when... View More

Carl Nelson
Carl Nelson
answered on Mar 28, 2023

It depends whether the nursing center had a judgment against your father before he died. If so, a judgment entered in the same county as the property would form a lien on the property which would survive a change in ownership (such as that occurred upon his death). Since your sister would be the... View More

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4 Answers | Asked in Contracts and Real Estate Law for New York on
Q: Does my boyfriend have a claim to a house deeded to me?

I purchase a house fresh out of college. It is deeded to me; my boyfriend co signed on the loan. We broke up and I asked him to move out. For 2 + year, he contributed $200.00 to monthly expenses, while I paid the taxes, furniture etc. He now wants 50,000 from me. AM I wrong given the house is... View More

Carl Nelson
Carl Nelson
answered on Mar 23, 2023

I am not fully understanding his theory that he would be entitled to anything from you. Was he paying the mortgage or something other than the $200 for expenses? I can’t imagine $200/month comes close to half the costs to operate a home. More details may be helpful or you could contact an... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Consumer Law, Collections and Bankruptcy for New York on
Q: I just received in the mail sheriffs income execution.

I received in the mail today and income execution for my paycheck for a debt from 2014. I have never received anything from this debt. No PaperWorks no phone calls. Also it was for a vehicle that I had $3000 balance on but was totaled out and the insurance paid when my car got stolen. Also, this... View More

Carl Nelson
Carl Nelson
answered on Mar 23, 2023

You did not indicate when the judgment was entered, but I would assume it would be some time ago and it may be too late to vacate the judgment—but this would depend on some of the dates and other circumstances.

Barring a vacatur of judgment, you could contact (personally or through an...
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2 Answers | Asked in Consumer Law, Contracts and Real Estate Law for New York on
Q: Mortgage - Acknowledgement of Contribution - is he fully responsible now?

A few years ago my boyfriend’s parents were struggling financially and ended up modifying their mortgage loan (details unknown).

In this process, they asked my boyfriend to sign an acknowledgement of contribution stating that he lives there, is their son, and has been “contributing... View More

Carl Nelson
Carl Nelson
answered on Mar 20, 2023

Acknowledging a contribution for the purpose of a loan modification does not create personal liability on the existing note. The lender does sometimes ask for authorization to run a credit report of a contributor, and if he was living there the address should show as a residence. But since he is... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Consumer Law and Real Estate Law for New York on
Q: I need a consumer protection lawyer in New York City. I am dealing with a mortgage company .

I had an offer for sale accepted at the end of August 2022, I paid 10% down and the loan officer stated that he would be able to help me with a loan. It was supposed to take place at the end of November 2022. The sponsor of the property, (seller) and the property management have been in touch with... View More

Carl Nelson
Carl Nelson
answered on Mar 17, 2023

Real estate transactions in New York typically have attorneys on both sides (and one for the bank, and for co-ops, one for the co-op itself). You should contact an attorney to review the contract of sale (or if not yet entered into, to review the seller's draft) and deal with any issues... View More

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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

Carl Nelson
Carl Nelson
answered on Feb 28, 2023

From a practical perspective (which is what it sounds like you are asking), an appropriate way to split income from the unit would be to first deduct all expenses and then to split the net income according to proportions of rent paid.

So first you would deduct all of the fees and costs...
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1 Answer | Asked in Foreclosure for New York on
Q: My home was up for auction Friday It was "reverted to beneficiary". Can anyone explain what this means and options?
Carl Nelson
Carl Nelson
answered on Feb 27, 2023

I don’t know where you are seeing that, but it would mean that it was purchased by the lender at the auction rather than by a third-party buyer. Because the lender can bid with credit (i.e. the amount they are owed), it is most common that the lender takes title at the sale auction.

3 Answers | Asked in Foreclosure and Probate for New York on
Q: Good evening is it possible to have a deed for a house with 2 people but one gets a secured loan. Now the kids are liabl

My mom took out a loan without my dads consent m. They are both deceased and we are liable

Carl Nelson
Carl Nelson
answered on Feb 25, 2023

If you did not sign a note, you would not be personally liable. However, if the note is secured by a mortgage, the ownership interest of whoever executed the mortgage would be encumbered by the mortgage lien.

Based on the facts you indicated, your mother’s share would be subject to the...
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3 Answers | Asked in Foreclosure for New York on
Q: The Initial retainer fee for the foreclosure defense would be $3000 and a monthly payment of $500 after 4 months.?

If there are costs such as filing fees, you would be expected to pay them at the time they are incurred. Based on the informaton on the docket, you likely will incur an RJI fee and motion fee totaling $140 if you want a motion made for permission to amend your answer. (alternatively we offer a... View More

Carl Nelson
Carl Nelson
answered on Feb 16, 2023

I personally would not opine on the fees and fee structure of an attorney your are considering to represent you, especially in a legal Q&A forum like this where we would not have all of the facts surrounding your case and the firm. If you are not comfortable with the fees, you could speak to... View More

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5 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy and Car Accidents for New York on
Q: I was a pedestrian in Brooklyn when I got hit by a car exactly a month later the insurance filed for bankruptcy

The company already finished with the bankruptcy I signed settlement agreement for a certain amount already 3 months ago what is taking so long

Carl Nelson
Carl Nelson
answered on Feb 8, 2023

Bankruptcy can be a long and sometimes frustratingly-slow process for creditors. However, bankruptcy is guided by a complex mix of federal bankruptcy law, bankruptcy and local rules and other areas of state and federal law. In short, it is complicated and often has very important deadlines that... View More

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