Q: If a deed is in my name, am I the rightful owner of the real estate no matter who paid for it?
My former roommate paid for a garage in the Condo Development we lived in. I own the Condo so had to put the Garage Deed in my name due to Condo bylaws. Roommate has moved out and wants the money if the garage is sold. Is that garage legally mine no matter who paid for it? Would he have any recourse if I kept the money from the sale.
A: The Statute of Frauds requires that any agreement pertaining to an interest in real estate must be in writing to be enforceable. If the title to the garage is in your name, that means that you likely own it. The most pertinent question is what type of agreement was there when the garage was built and the use of the money.
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