Chicago, IL asked in Real Estate Law for Illinois

Q: I bought a property from someone and never received the deed. Can I sue them and get my money back for the deal?

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1 Lawyer Answer
Carol Cadiz
Carol Cadiz
Answered
  • Elgin, IL
  • Licensed in Illinois

A: There are many facts that are unclear from your question. For example, how long ago did you buy the property? Were there attorneys or a title company involved? If the closing went through all of the proper channels and you closed at the title company, they will have sent the deed to the county for recording - which can take a while. The deeds are usually then mailed back to the homeowner or to the attorney for the buyer. If you had a lawyer represent you, you should reach out to your attorney. Is it possible that the deed was recorded with the county but you simply never received a copy? This can be investigated with the recorder of deeds office in the county where the property was located. It would be wise to immediately find out who the current property owner is- according to the county. Hopefully it is you, and will just be a matter of requesting a copy of your deed. Otherwise, the situation could be more complex and you should consult with an attorney to determine next steps.

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