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Alabama Real Estate Law Questions & Answers
3 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Real Estate Law for Alabama on
Q: If I get the deed to a home but don’t assume the loan of the deceased borrower, what happens?

I want a home where I wasn’t on the loan. The deceased borrower was the only one on the loan and deed. I know I can’t be forced to assume the loan or make the payments but I want to stay in the home without refinancing in my name. Can the loan stay in the names of the deceased only and... View More

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Mar 20, 2024

If you do not have a deed to you and you are not an heir, then the titled owners will probably sue your for possession. If the note is not serviced, or taxes/insurance not paid, then the lender will foreclose. You will not receive notice of the foreclosure as you are not on the note. If... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law and Estate Planning for Alabama on
Q: Do I have to get mortgage in my name if my spouse dies and I get the deed? They were the sole name on loan/deed.

I will get the deed to a home owned by my spouse signed over to me from his estate. However, I don’t want to go through the process of trying to refinance in my name. If his estate stays open, can I get the deed to the property but also keep the loan in his name forever? Will the mortgage company... View More

Nina Whitehurst
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answered on Mar 20, 2024

Under federal law the lender may NOT call the loan due and may NOT force you to refinance. As the borrower's "successor in interest" you are entitled to receive the monthly statements going forward. As long as you keep up the payments, the lender may not foreclose.

You may...
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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Real Estate Law for Alabama on
Q: Need clarification on a deed between Parent and Child.

DURING THEIR JOINT LIVES AND UPON THE DEATH OF EITHER OF THEM, THEN TO THE

SURVIVOR OF THEM IN FEE SIMPLE AND TO THE HEIRS AND ASSIGNS OF SUCH SURVIVOR FOREVER.

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answered on Mar 5, 2024

The "upon the death of either of them" language is ambiguous. But the totality of the terms construed with the entire Deed will probably be deemed to result in the surviving life tenant's heirs getting the fee. The

Estates created in the granting clause is a little...
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1 Answer | Asked in Contracts and Real Estate Law for Alabama on
Q: Can a seller use the cooling off period to cancel a contract for the sale of a house ? Within 3days of execution date
James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Feb 27, 2024

In the context of real estate transactions, the concept of a "cooling-off" period, where a party can cancel a contract without penalty, varies significantly depending on the jurisdiction and specific laws that govern residential property sales. Generally, cooling-off periods are more... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law, Estate Planning and Probate for Alabama on
Q: USB is suing my late husband's estate and now I can't sell it. It has been 12 yrs. How long is statute of limitations?
James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Feb 25, 2024

The statute of limitations for debts and lawsuits can vary significantly depending on the type of claim and the state in which the lawsuit is filed. Generally, for debts, statutes of limitations range from 3 to 15 years. This timeframe dictates how long a creditor has to initiate legal action to... View More

3 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law for Alabama on
Q: Would a medical lien against my brother affect my half of the property we own together since I don’t owe them

He is in a nursing home and owes them money. They haven’t affected a lien against him but can or will they and will that affect my half of ownership if I sell it

William Vann Burkett
William Vann Burkett
answered on Mar 14, 2024

Generally, a lien will attach to only the interest of the person who incurred the debt. However, there are many different liens under Alabama Law. It is possible that the lien may receive some kind of legal preference. However, if the property is owned 50-50 and the property is sold, the lien... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Alabama on
Q: what rights do I have if I'm leasing land and the owner sells it out from under me?
T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Feb 1, 2024

If you are leasing land and the owner sells it, your rights will largely depend on the terms of your lease agreement and state laws governing landlord-tenant relationships. Typically, when a property is sold, the new owner inherits the rights and obligations of the previous owner, including any... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Real Estate Law and Probate for Alabama on
Q: Can I take equity out of a home if I am not on the original loan or deed, but legally inherited property (home)?

My spouse died and I was not on the loan or the deed the home. The home has a debt on it. I know I can get the deed done up, but what about the loan? I know the debt doesn’t go away and I need to figure something out about that like try to assume it if I want to stay or find a way to pay it off.... View More

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Jan 31, 2024

You may be able to find a lender for a refinance, which will require you to have it of record how you own as an heir. Affidavit of Heirship and/or probate will be in order. Your credit will be involved. Once you have a source of title, you may be able to sell it subject to the secured debt.

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Estate Planning for Alabama on
Q: Can a mortgage company call a loan due if the person who can assume the loan is being difficult or non responsive?

I am the executor of an estate. A beneficiary of a home (due to a person being deceased) has been granted status as successor of interest. The payments have been kept up via automatic payments under the deceased persons account. If with these circumstances, can the loan be called DUE NOW if he... View More

Nina Whitehurst
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answered on Jan 23, 2024

A home mortgage lender may NOT call a loan due on account of the death of the borrower if the lender has been informed that the property will be inherited by a relative. Your facts did not say whether or not this is case, but that fact is highly relevant. If a relative is the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Probate for Alabama on
Q: Live in my family home but never changed deed over after my mum died. Property taxes went up 600$ more this year

Increase because homesteaders rights were took away even though I'm 68;but it hasn't been changed over to me. She's been dead 8-10 years now. Don't know if her will went through probate because my brother died after she did and he was executor. How do I get deed in my name or... View More

William Vann Burkett
William Vann Burkett
answered on Dec 27, 2023

You will likely need to file a quiet title action to get a deed to the property. This will involve suing any person that might have an interest in the property. The other option that might be available is to go through the probate process. This would likely need be done in the county where your... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Alabama on
Q: WRT Votes from HOA members, is signing a petition considered a vote? The petition is to remove existing board members.

Our HOA documents say the board can be removed with or without cause at any time with a majority vote from association members. There are enough signatures on a petition agreeing that a new board should be put in place and the old board removed to meet the majority. The committee formed to... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Dec 4, 2023

In the context of an HOA (Homeowners Association), whether signing a petition is considered a formal vote depends on the specific bylaws and governing documents of your HOA. Typically, these documents outline the procedures for voting, including how votes can be cast and what constitutes a valid... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts and Real Estate Law for Alabama on
Q: Sold a mobile home & the purchaser is not making monthly payments (contract agreement). What legal action can I take?

A purchase agreement was signed, and the buyer is failing to make monthly payments to the seller. I feel that I am being taken advantage of because they're a relative. The buyer is two months behind on payments as of now. I want to cancel the purchase agreement and eliminate this headache, but... View More

Don Oliver Keene
Don Oliver Keene
answered on Nov 17, 2023

So, this really depends on the purchase agreement and what the terms of the agreement are. You should consult a local attorney in your area, likely someone who handles real estate/landlord tenant law. Depending on those terms will determine what you can do or not do. If the buyer is in what is... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Probate, Foreclosure and Real Estate Law for Alabama on
Q: Mom passed, only one heir, resided in ˢᵀ.Martin Parish, owns home in Mont., AL, she passed in Htx, how to obtain probate

No spouse, no will, no other property in LA except vehicle. Resident of ˢᵀ. Martin Parish. I live in Atlanta. Also need ltrs of admin to stay foreclosure proceedings next week to sell home.

Frank Truncali
Frank Truncali
answered on Nov 15, 2023

In order to transfer the title to the property in Montgomery, it would be necessary to open an estate in the Montgomery County Probate Court. The person who is handling the estate must be an Alabama resident. This would not address any property located in Louisiana, however. If a family member is... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Probate, Foreclosure and Real Estate Law for Alabama on
Q: Mom passed, only one heir, resided in ˢᵀ.Martin Parish, owns home in Mont., AL, she passed in Htx, how to obtain probate

No spouse, no will, no other property in LA except vehicle. Resident of ˢᵀ. Martin Parish. I live in Atlanta. Also need ltrs of admin to stay foreclosure proceedings next week to sell home.

James Blount Griffin
James Blount Griffin
answered on Nov 15, 2023

I am not licensed in LA, so I cannot address the vehicle with any authority, though some states, such as Alabama, allow the transfer of a vehicle without the formal opening of an estate.

To lawfully transfer the Montgomery, AL real property, you would have to open an estate in the probate...
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2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law and Probate for Alabama on
Q: Mother passed in 2022 I just found the quick claim deed she had drawn up giving me the house but she never filed it

With the court system and she didn't have a will and I'm the sole heir as I am the only surviving child of hers

James Blount Griffin
James Blount Griffin
answered on Nov 18, 2024

Is the deed signed, dated, and properly notarized (signed and stamped by notary public)?

If so, would anyone object to the deed's validity and claim that your mother did not actually deliver the deed to you as the new owner? Deeds need to be "signed, sealed, and delivered."

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1 Answer | Asked in Tax Law and Real Estate Law for Alabama on
Q: I bought a house and they gave me a venders lean..Do I pay the property taxes or do the people that I did the fenders
Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Nov 12, 2024

Usually the grantee(you) pays taxes on the land he owns by deed conveyance. If you do not, you lose the property by tax sale. The vender/grantor will execute his lien on the property before that happens.

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Real Estate Law, Banking and Federal Crimes for Alabama on
Q: Hi I filled for a mortgage loan with a credit union. I was denied, but an account was created with my name have no acces

I requested information about the loan and the sent information requested. The application number along with the account number were sent to me. I went through a process on my bank app short story. It says “the information you provided is linked to one of your own accounts” per the mortgage... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Oct 29, 2024

It's uncommon for a credit union to create an account in your name without granting you access, especially if your mortgage application was denied. However, mistakes can happen, and it's important to clarify the situation directly with the credit union. Reach out to their customer service... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Alabama on
Q: When preparing a will do I need to designate what is done with my inherited and jointly owned property?

I’m writing my will.

Currently have a probate matter open- my late parents and my late brothers estate. The property I inherited has 25% inherited by a sibling. The matter is almost resolved. But in the event that I die before it is settled, I’m unsure of whether or not I need to... View More

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Oct 7, 2024

Your Will only probates what you own at death. So the Residuary Clause will dispose of non specific bequests and devises. Hire an attorney to draft and execute your Will. Otherwise there is a good chance your wishes will not be honored. Also choose a good executor.

1 Answer | Asked in Land Use & Zoning, Landlord - Tenant, Real Estate Law and Tax Law for Alabama on
Q: may I put a mobile home on my property and rent it out?
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answered on Sep 18, 2024

You can potentially place a mobile home on your property and rent it out, but there are several factors to consider first. Local zoning laws play a big role in determining what can be placed on your land and how it can be used. Some areas may restrict or prohibit mobile homes, while others may... View More

Q: I have been jailed twice over an ordinance violation in Town of Rutledge, Al &ordered to move out of storage building we

Me & husband both own property & both names are on deed,but he hasn't been jailed.Is this legal?& can an ordinance be voided for this?Also they claim they've had ordinance since 1995.Noone has heard of it till 2023.when they hired building inspector.Us &1 other are only... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Sep 1, 2024

It sounds like you're dealing with a frustrating and possibly unfair situation. If both you and your husband own the property and only you have been jailed, it could raise questions about equal treatment under the law. It may be worth exploring if there has been any discrimination or unequal... View More

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