Q: I've lost everything. My Ex-husband stole my identity, 2019, and ultimately my home of 18yrs in 2021. Is there a case?
I have my warranty deed, as well as the warranty deed of the woman I purchased my home from before Matthew and I were even married. In our divorce it states we have no claim to any belongings or property of the other. Also in decree, this will come up later, I had my last name legally changed back to my maiden name - Lawe. So no longer Hastings.
I left the home in my sons care in the summer of 2021 and moved in with my fiance. We were married in November 2021. In May of 2022 my daughter came over screaming at me, "Why did you sell our childhood home to that scumbag for fifty thousand dollars!" And some other choice words before taking my grandkids away. We haven't talked since. I was torn apart that day. So my fiance and I went to Newaygo County Deeds Office and found out Matthew got a quit claim in his name in October of 2021. I paid $10 to get a copy of this quit claim and there was a signature, forged - Tersa Hastings/ Start. This document stamped by a State of Michigan notary.
A: A forged deed is not valid. You can file suit to challenge the forged deed and regain possession of your property. The notary may also have liability, and the notary probably posted a bond in the amount of $10,000 from which you might recover. You should consult with an attorney because the process of challenging the forged deed is too complex for me to outline in this response.
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