Q: a piece of property next door to me, original owner was alive, he verbally handed over to me in case of his death.
How do I legally obtain the property?? My neighbor was a no-nonsense guy who didn’t live frivolously!
A: Hire an OK attorney to search the title and determine ownership. Without a deed a non heir does not take, and your oral gift violates the Statute of Frauds. So you might make a deal with his heirs. See if taxes are delinquent also, as a tax sale might be available.
A: There is likely no way to legally enforce a verbal promise to hand over real property in these circumstances. The decedent should have made a Will or recorded a Transfer on Death Deed. At this point, you will have to contact his heirs and ask them to deed the property to you, and they are under no legal obligation to do so.
A:
Contact an attorney to discuss your facts. If you exchange money, then you may have a few options. But either way, if a deed was not recorded, filed, or signed then it is an uphill battle.
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