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Arizona Real Estate Law Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Arizona on
Q: The HOA Addendum for my community has fees for a Master Association. We do not have a Master Association.

Is there a legal definition of "Master Association" in Arizona? or anywhere?

Our community does not have a Master Association.

Peter H. Westby
Peter H. Westby
answered on Jun 4, 2018

Many homes in Arizona are subject to more than one HOA. Often there is a Master Association governing a large area. If your home is subject to a Master Association, the commitment for title insurance you obtained when you purchased your home should reveal this and should let you know where the... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Family Law, Divorce and Real Estate Law for Arizona on
Q: My wife and married son own a home together that was purchased in cash prior to his marriage.

Does his soon to be estranged wife have any rights to the property?

Peter H. Westby
Peter H. Westby
answered on May 31, 2018

Your son's wife may have a community lien interest in this home if the mortgage payments and home maintenance or improvements were made with community funds during the course of the marriage. This can be a complicated issue and should be discussed with your son's family law attorney.

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1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law, Probate and Estate Planning for Arizona on
Q: I am the heir to my aunts house. My other aunts keep telling me she didn’t have a will and wants me to sign a waiver

My other aunt told me her lawyer will be sending me this waiver because she claims my aunt that passed didnt have a will (but I was there when she created it) and she told me my aunt took a reverse mortgage on the house and the bank was taking it... my aunts house had been paid off since the... View More

Peter H. Westby
Peter H. Westby
answered on May 17, 2018

I recommend that you consult with a probate lawyer and have him or her review any documents given to you before you sign anything. Your probate lawyer can investigate the claim of a reverse mortgage and can protect your interest in this estate.

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Landlord - Tenant for Arizona on
Q: If you've been paying the mortgage taxes and insurance on a house for almost 5 years do you have any legal right
Peter H. Westby
Peter H. Westby
answered on May 16, 2018

You may have the right to be reimbursed and/or you might have an equitable lien depending upon the facts of your case. You may have no rights whatsoever. I recommend that you speak with a real estate attorney concerning this matter. Once your lawyer knows all of the facts, he or she will be... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law, Estate Planning and Probate for Arizona on
Q: My father cosigned on my house. If he dies how do I keep my house.
Peter H. Westby
Peter H. Westby
answered on May 12, 2018

You must keep your mortgage payments current to keep your home. If your father is on the deed, you should check to see how you took title so that title will pass to you upon your father's death without need for a probate. It is common to take title as joint tenants with right of... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant and Real Estate Law for Arizona on
Q: what kind of lawyer do i need if i am going after my landlord for poor living conditions

Toxic mold, leaky pipes, and a list of repairs promised to be done but never have been done. Such as Garage door opener is not operational, dishwasher when draining leaks all over counter tops, storage area that was supposed to be cleaned out but never has. broken door knobs, leaky sink in upstairs... View More

Peter H. Westby
Peter H. Westby
answered on May 9, 2018

If this is a landlord -tenant issue, I would consult with a real estate attorney who specializes in landlord-tenant issues. If you are considering a claim for illness caused by the poor living conditions, I would speak with an attorney who specializes in toxic tort cases.

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Arizona on
Q: Does the Seller have to disclose if there was a suicide in the house?

The husband killed himself ... bullet to the head. We don't know if it was on the property.

Peter H. Westby
Peter H. Westby
answered on May 1, 2018

Under ARS 32-2156 a suicide does not need to be disclosed. If this is important to you, ask. You may ask about anything you deem important and the seller should respond truthfully.

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Arizona on
Q: My husband passed away from acute myeloid leukemia on March 10th 2018, there is no will and my name is not on the deed.

It was our intention to protect the house, it is my understanding I have to wait 6 months before applying to put my name on the deed. Do I have legal standing in acquiring the house and protecting it in the bankruptcy? The bankruptcy process was started and paid for, but my husband became too ill... View More

Peter H. Westby
Peter H. Westby
answered on May 1, 2018

Assuming that your husband had no children from a previous relationship you should be able to open an informal probate now and transfer the home to yourself. The six month period you mentioned applies when using a small estate affidavit to transfer title to your husband's home. There is no... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Litigation, Divorce, Estate Planning and Real Estate Law for Arizona on
Q: Does my deceased moms will have any power over house contract. What options do we have.

My mom and her x husband bought a house in 89 and then divorced about 10 years later. In their divorce the judge said for them to sell the house to split 50/50. Her x husband wasn't interested in the house he let it go into hawk and him and his new wife bought a house in another city. My mom... View More

Peter H. Westby
Peter H. Westby
answered on Apr 30, 2018

This is an issue involving a large sum of money. When dealing with something of this importance, you need to discuss with a real estate attorney. Your attorney will need to review the divorce decree and the deed to this home before he or she can answer your question.

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Real Estate Law and Landlord - Tenant for Arizona on
Q: what do I do if I learned my former landlord sold my rental and the new landlord forged my name on a renewal lease?

I recently learned (I have proof) that on the day of the sale of my rental property (single family home), the new owner completed a new lease and forged my name. I have not had a true lease in effect since 05/31/2014.

Peter H. Westby
Peter H. Westby
answered on Apr 17, 2018

The first step is to have your original lease--the one you signed--reviewed by a real estate attorney. It may automatically renew by its terms. You may have the right to terminate. Once your attorney has reviewed the lease that you agreed to, he or she will be able to let you know your legal... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Probate for Arizona on
Q: Father dies, I am granted power of attorney. I try to sell the house and find there is a fraudulent quitclaim deed.

I believe that if indeed my father signed the deed, it was during a time in which he not of sound mind and able to do so; one month prior to his death. The quit claim deed was notarized, however when checking the books, my fathers signature was not there. There is a small mortgage left on the home... View More

Peter H. Westby
Peter H. Westby
answered on Apr 11, 2018

I recommend speaking with a probate attorney. It appears that you may need to open a probate for your father's estate and then, when a personal representative is appointed, the PR can address the issue of the wrongful quitclaim deed. A quiet title action may be needed. This will need to... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Divorce and Real Estate Law for Arizona on
Q: can a divorcing spouse sign a quitclaim deed to give up interest in property the other spouse is buying?

Wife is wanting to buy a home with a seller carry and husband says he'll sign a contract giving up interest in the purchase. Would that work and would it be a contract or a quitclaim deed and would that be recognized as legal during the final divorce? If they are legally separated, does that help?

Randi Sirlin
Randi Sirlin
answered on Apr 10, 2018

A quit claim deed will work but it is better to sign a disclaimer deed and sign and file a "Rule 69 Agreement" with the Court, stating that the spouse who is relinquishing ownership will have no liability whatsoever regarding the loan.

If you need further assistance, you should...
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1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law, Business Law and Business Formation for Arizona on
Q: Real Estate AZ. I am not a licensed realtor but can I set up an LLC company and receive referrals through the LLC?
Peter H. Westby
Peter H. Westby
answered on Apr 9, 2018

You can set up your business as an LLC but, if you will be performing services for others that are traditionally performed by licensed agents in Arizona, you will need to employ a licensed person and perform services under his/her license.

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law, Tax Law and Landlord - Tenant for Arizona on
Q: My lease in Chandler, AZ says I have to pay a 2.5% tax, so if your rent is $1,000 per month, you will pay $25 tax

The issue is that the tax rate is 1.5% and the rental company takes the other 1% as an admin fee. They don’t disclose a monthly admin fee in the lease or tell you that the chandler tax is only 1.5%. I think this is deceptive but they are doing this to hundreds of renters. I’m also not sure... View More

Peter H. Westby
Peter H. Westby
answered on Apr 9, 2018

If your landlord is overcharging for tax you might consider a complaint to the Arizona Department of Revenue, TPT, Division. This is something that the State of Arizona may investigate and pursue.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Real Estate Law and Probate for Arizona on
Q: Living Will - successor trustee question...

I am using a Living Trust to donate a property to a charity (instead of a will). Can I name someone that works for that same charity as successor trustee?

Peter H. Westby
Peter H. Westby
answered on Apr 2, 2018

You can do this, but it is not likely to be the best practice. I recommend seeking the advice of the charity in question. It will have instructions for you and may be able to refer you to an attorney who will assist you if you do not already have an attorney.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Real Estate Law for Arizona on
Q: I had sold my property, it's being paid off by the buyer, I was wondering if I could cancel the contract due to late pay

As I stated I had sold my property, however the buyer is constantly late on payments, even when I ask regarding the pay date, I keep getting told he had done so but it could be anywhere between two weeks plus before I receive anything. The buyer is already making a lot of changes before the... View More

Peter H. Westby
Peter H. Westby
answered on Mar 30, 2018

The answers to your questions should be in the contract you signed with the buyer. In general, if there is a material breech of a contract for sale of real property, a seller can foreclose judicially or use the forfeiture procedure authorized by ARS 33-741 et. seq. But a review of your contract... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Arizona on
Q: i want to buy this house from a owner but i wont have the money till another two months what contact do i need?

and would i be able to sell the contact it self if needed?

Peter H. Westby
Peter H. Westby
answered on Mar 21, 2018

Under these circumstances people have used different types of contracts. A few options are:

1. A normal purchase contract with long closing period specified;

2. An option contract allowing you to purchase at any time within the option period; and

3. A lease with an option...
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2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law and Probate for Arizona on
Q: dad died 5 ys ago, my sister didnt want the house. how long does she have to come back and want it. I needto refience it

The morgage on it is expiring and I need to put the house in my name and refiance. I have lived here since 1960. all utilites are in my name I pay all the bills house payment and taxes and repaires. How can I put the house in my name.

Marcus N. Seiter
Marcus N. Seiter
answered on Mar 21, 2018

The answer to this question may be more complex than you were anticipating. I suggest that you contact a probate attorney near you to talk about your options. Among other things, the attorney will want to know if your father had a will that covered this house, how the house was titled, the value of... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Arizona on
Q: I sold a property in Pinal County AZ. And accepted a promissory note secured by a Deed of Trust. Payments are late.

The first three payments have not been made. The agreement states if any default should be made of any payment when due the whole sum etc etc. If I accept any payment will I hurt my ability to recover the property. What’s the avg time and cost to forclose on the property

Peter H. Westby
Peter H. Westby
answered on Mar 20, 2018

Normal practice is to not accept any payment that does not bring the note current including any late charges called for by the note. You should consider commencing a non-judicial foreclosure. I recommend contacting an attorney who specializes in trustee's sales to learn about this option. A... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Arizona on
Q: We are in contract to sell our property. Title report shows more unexpected liens. Sale of property will not payoff

Buyer of property is ready to close. Of course we can not close property. Buyer has threatened to sue us. Is this possible if we don't perform?

Peter H. Westby
Peter H. Westby
answered on Mar 12, 2018

It is possible that you might be sued. This is one remedy for a contract default. Review your contract for its provisions dealing with a seller default and buyer remedies. But a lawsuit is unlikely. Few buyers want to hire lawyers and file a lawsuit to try to purchase a home. It is common,... View More

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