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Property was listed as community lot. Is in deed. Escheated 30 years ago. Continues to be listed in any lots sold in development.
answered on Apr 18, 2023
The question is confusing, because the word escheat means that the state took it and it doesn’t belong to whomever it belonged before. The best place is to start with a title search and a review of whatever happened 30 years ago,
New homeowner here home was purchased Oct 2022, there is a built in playhouse off the deck that has been on property since Aug 2021 with no issues. I received a violation letter in the mail stating that this was not approved by the ARC committee and I need to file plans and have them approved or I... View More 
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answered on Apr 6, 2023
Unfortunately, the fact that the HOA did not know about or complain about the structure may not be sufficient grounds to argue its existence. When you say "file plans," do you mean with the HOA or with the local municipality? Can you establish that the HOA is picking on you or otherwise... View More
All the mailboxes in my neighborhood are on one side of the street. My neighbors across the street, whose mailbox is on my property, use their mailbox to try to exert weird control over me/my property. They keep trying to mow or weedwack the front of my yard. They also use their mailbox as an... View More
answered on Apr 3, 2023
The answer starts with a title search. I'm willing to guess that the USPS of your neighbors have a recorded easement to the place where the mailbox os located, but the only way to confirm that reliably is a title search. If there is no easement and the mailbox is on your land, you can notify... View More
In the refi, but the county recorder still,shows the modification
answered on Mar 26, 2023
The land records in Virginia, recorded in the Circuit Court for the county or city where the property is located, show an entire history of the transactions concerning the property. Past transactions are not removed, or replaced, by the most recent transactions.
A refinance loan would be... View More
The seller did not disclose the restrictions on the property prior to the title search being completed. The deed restrictions were filed in 2019 and will last 40 years minimum with options to renew. The deed restrictions require any modifications to the property and land to be approved, by a... View More
answered on Mar 25, 2023
A seller's and purchaser's contractual rights under a written sales agreement depend on the provisions contained in the writing. There are causes of action outside the contract, that led to the formation of the agreement, including fraud and duress. A contract may be voided as... View More
My great, great, great, great, great grandfather owned a significant amount of land in Virginia in the late 1,700's. In his will, he states, "my will is and I desire that my estate be neither appraised nor sold." He then goes on and says "I give and bequeath unto my son..his... View More
answered on Mar 12, 2023
Nope. You don't have any claim at all based on the facts you've given. That little word 'assigns' means people that ancestor may sell the land to. He sold it.
There is also an obscure real estate rule called the 'Rule against Perpetuities' which, in very... View More
A 30ft strip of common area is behind my home. The HOA declined to replace a tree there that died, but suggested I do so. So I submitted a request to plant 5-7 arborvitae, and agreed to maintain them the 1st year. The board approved 5, which I had planted. I immediately submitted another request... View More
answered on Feb 28, 2023
The only choice I can think of is retaining counsel to review the facts, review the HOA rules, and decide whether to threaten if you are on good grounds or cajole if you aren't. Sounds like you pissed them off pretty well. Maybe retaining someone to speak for you who can sound like he carries... View More
The court clerk told him to get a form/letter from a real estate agent to acquire a deed. Pkease tell me what is the correct form named so I can let him know.
answered on Feb 15, 2023
I believe I answered a very similar question this morning, but this version leaves out that the nephew is the heir of your deceased brother. If your brother is deceased, he cannot sign a power of attorney, and the power of attorney needs to be from whomever owns the property. If your brother has... View More
He is the only child and needs to put the house in his name now and was told by the court since there was no will or estate etc he needed to get a real estate agent or attorney to certify the deed. We are not sure what to do. The house is paid off but needs some work.
answered on Feb 15, 2023
If there is no will, the house passes outside of probate in accordance with the intestate succession laws of Virginia. The fact that the nephew paid the bills for 15 years is irrelevant. There is no reason not to consider that rent, and it certainly doesn't sound in adverse possession. But, if... View More
answered on Feb 13, 2023
An e-mail may be admissible in evidence if a party can establish a hearsay exception and authenticate the communication. Hearsay is an out-of-court statement a party wants to introduce into evidence to prove the truth of the matter asserted. If made by a party, an e-mail may qualify as a party... View More
There a three owners listed on the deed, two are deceased and not included as owners of the property on the listing agreement. The heirs of the deceased owners have been asked to sign the listing agreement. Can the exclusion of the deceased owners in the listing agreement create any legal... View More
answered on Feb 7, 2023
The listing agreement only binds the people who signed it. So, in Virginia, where title passes outside probate to the heirs subject to recapture by the personal representative to pay debts, the heirs are not bound by an agreement they didn't sign. They don't have to sell. But, if the... View More
I am divorced. want to file quick claim deed . Im
age 90 he lives with me now. a neighbor also said deed of gift
answered on Jan 16, 2023
Your neighbors are wrong. Giving away your property means giving away your property. It is your son’s property from that date, and he can put you in a nursing home or begin renovations immediately once it is his. The fee cheaper solution is a simple will drafted by a lawyer. If there are other... View More
Inherited home. No mortgage on the house at time of inheritance. Buyout occurred late 2022 - co-owner (who is also the occupant) signed agreement stating that they would cede their ownership of the home upon closing - knew the co-owner would need time to move out, did not press for them to leave... View More
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answered on Jan 12, 2023
You cannot evict a co-owner. A Partition Suit may be the only answer as apparently the so called buyout agreement should not have been entered into. A Breach of Contract action might also be filed, but the final result may not help. Consult with a VA attorney about this which may require a... View More
Also power of attorney. Does his wife now get half? Or I'm I the sole heir
answered on Dec 8, 2022
Possibly, yes, his wife and children, if any, may receive the half, but it depends on what the will says, how it says it and when your brother passed away. I recommend you to take the will to a lawyer near you to review it and explain the next steps of Probate. So, it is not as simple as saying... View More
Rental agreement self renews every year 12/1. Home owner died 9/9 is the self renewal still valid?
answered on Nov 29, 2022
You really need a review of your lease rather than a generalized answer that may or may not apply to your lease. But, in Virginia, title to land passes by operation of law to the heir or beneficiary if one is named in a Will subject to recapture to fund the estate. That means that the title now... View More
guy wont acknowledge my phone calls or text ... what Do I do
answered on Oct 26, 2022
Probably pay him again.... Or, pay a lawyer to develop proof that you paid, escrow the disputed funds, and sue.
Reading an answer on the Internet does not create an attorney-client relationship. You are represented by me when we have both signed a retainer agreement (on paper or... View More
I have the SCRA clause in my lease.
answered on Oct 26, 2022
The SCRA limits anyone from taking a judgment against a service member when he or she is called to active duty. Unless you share the lease for review -- which you should not do in an open on-line forum -- I have no idea what your SCRA clause says, but I would take a wild guess that it has nothing... View More
We had two ratified contracts since Tuesday morning in Fairfax County, Virginia. The first buyer backed out because of the HOA clause, but told our realtor that they didn't know the mortgage payments would be so high. The second buyer is currently looking to renegotiate or stated that they... View More
answered on Oct 14, 2022
It would be incompetent to answer this without a factual inquiry and interview, and the Internet in an open forum is not the correct place to get that. Seek counsel licensed on the applicable jurisdiction, and secure a consult.
But, I must ask: Why are you not sharing the HOA docs when you... View More
VA Code § 55.1-1236 (2021)
answered on Oct 14, 2022
It would be incompetent to answer this without a factual inquiry and interview, and the Internet in an open forum is not the correct place to get that. Seek counsel licensed on the applicable jurisdiction, and secure a consult.
Edit:
55.1-1204 Section C says Mr Sternberg is incorrect in his answer. He also says perjury and discrimination against protected classes is "irrelevant". I need someone who cares about those things and the law to answer.
Some points (this box isn't enough for all... View More
answered on Oct 4, 2022
Most of the facts in your question are irrelevant. A contract for land must be in writing or it is void. Depending on where you are, a writing can sometimes be lots of things short of a Purchase and Sale Agreement on the local Board of Realtors form. I think there is one DC case in which a check... View More
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