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Arizona Real Estate Law Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Landlord - Tenant for Arizona on
Q: Can an HOA garnish wages, if they refuse to receive mail?

MY HOA refuse to pick up my mail, which includes my monthly dues. This has been going on for 4 months now. All mail was sent certified return receipt. There was an ADRE case on HOA refusing to pick up mail, and who is liable. I am awaiting response.

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Jul 22, 2020

You should not be using certified mail unless the HOA Rules require it. The HOA has no obligation to be available all the times to sign a receipt to the mailman. Send all checks regular mail or hand deliver them, and when they cash them, you will have a bank record of some type. You knew you... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Real Estate Law for Arizona on
Q: I ended a relationship and both our name are on the mortgage. How do i either sell the home or get off the mortgage

She believes the house is hers alone and that i was only there as long as she agreed to it.

Peter H. Westby
Peter H. Westby
answered on Jul 13, 2020

I am assuming that you and your ex did not have a domestic partnership agreement or other written agreement concerning the assets acquired during the course of your relationship. Absent such an agreement, and generally speaking, if your name is on the Deed to this home in addition to the mortgage,... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Arizona on
Q: I don't know if I'm being taken advantage of by a real estate broker. Can you please go over the details of my pre-deal?

I want to sell and I reached out to a friend in real estate who wants to buy my house for cash tomorrow. The online real estate agencies such as Zillow rate my house between 3:55 and 4:10. This guy wants to flip the house so he's deducting all the things that he says he has to repair from the... View More

Phil Cardis
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Phil Cardis
answered on Jul 6, 2020

Lots to analyze here from a business decision standpoint relative to determining value but it appears the broker/investor is looking to make money for the costs and effort related to addressing the deferred maintenance. So lots of factors to consider in seeing what is best option for you. The... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Real Estate Law and Child Custody for Arizona on
Q: I live in Ca. I Have joint custody of my kid who lives between CA and AZ. I want equal physical time. Where do I start?

I was married in CA in 2009. Moved to AZ and bought a house with ex husband in 2010 with newborn. Filed for divorce myself with no lawyer in 2011 and it was granted 9/2012. The divorce decree and parenting plan is archaic and based on the naivety of a young me in my 20s who somehow thought I could... View More

John R Gaertner Jr
John R Gaertner Jr
answered on Jul 5, 2020

It would be necessary to review all of your current court orders and the Decree to adequately provide advice on your current issues. There appears to be grounds to review and request changes to your current Legal Decision Making and Parenting Time Orders. There has been at least 5 years since your... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Arizona on
Q: mother was poa for deceased processed quit claim deed in her name can any living relative take property back

process quit claim deed days after deceased passed away

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Jul 2, 2020

Any of the Heirs At Law can file suit to set aside a Deed conveyance that resulted from an invalid POA transfer after death of the principal, was never delivered, or was a breach of fiduciary duty, amongst many causes of actions. But all Heirs must be included as parties, either plaintiffs or... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts and Real Estate Law for Arizona on
Q: I hold the mortgage on a home I sold What happens when I die? Will my heir (son) then get the payments?

Is there something that needs to be recorded for this to happen?

Vincent Gallo
Vincent Gallo
answered on Jun 20, 2020

Your estate will be entitled to the payments until your executor directs otherwise.

2 Answers | Asked in Contracts, Real Estate Law and Landlord - Tenant for Arizona on
Q: I'm in a home rental which expires end of Jan2021. i was informed that homeowners getting divorced, can i keep lease

I'm in a home rental which expires end of Jan2021. i was informed that the homeowners getting divorced, can i keep lease? Or can they terminate my lease? I have never missed a payment, i pay 2 weeks early and never had any complaints or issues. I want to stay... Do the homeowners have to honor... View More

Peter H. Westby
Peter H. Westby
answered on Jun 15, 2020

The homeowners' divorce does not impair your rights under the lease and is not, by itself, grounds for lease termination. So long as you pay your rent, you should be allowed to complete your lease term unless your lease contains provisions that would allow the owners to terminate early.

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1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Real Estate Law, Landlord - Tenant and Small Claims for Arizona on
Q: Apartment switched property management companies after my lease ended... which one do I sue?

I'm filing a small claim against my previous apartment complex to get my unreturned security deposit.

The complex employed a new property management company AFTER I moved out.

Do I sue the property management company that was used when I signed the original lease or the new... View More

Frankie  Adamo
Frankie Adamo
answered on Jun 11, 2020

Generally, in landlord/tenant cases, you sue the landlord (or property owner) - not the property management company or property manager. The property manager typically is not the property owner and merely the landlord's agent who at all times is acting on behalf of the landlord. If the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Real Estate Law for Arizona on
Q: Is it blackmail at mediation setting to be threatened with a lawsuit if I don't agree to vacate my judge's ruling?

I am supposed to be awarded attorney fees in my case that is still pending, but at a mediation setting on another matter, I was threatened with "they will sue you for breach if you do not vacate your judges ruling?"

Jay Hall
Jay Hall
answered on May 27, 2020

The exact context of your question isn't clear, but no it doesn't sound like it's blackmail.

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Arizona on
Q: My parent's passed away 27 years ago, the home was handed down to me & 2 sisters They abandoned home 20 years

They have never paid taxes for the home , my health is not that great can I give the house to my daughters , since they don't want anything to do with it , they want to sell after I die , i really dont think that's right, they have never helped me up keep it

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on May 27, 2020

You cannot adversely possess against Tenants In Common, which apparently all of you are. Any owner can demand a Partition Action to sell it and divide the proceeds. You can only give your 1/3 Interest to your Daughters, and then they become Tenants In Common with your Sisters. You might wish to... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Foreclosure and Real Estate Law for Arizona on
Q: Does a land patent trump a mortgage holder's position? The patent is several years (12) older than the title conflict.

The land patent was obtained at the same time period as I revested title, "citizen" for "sovereign" when I discovered The United States of America became The United States of America INC. in 1878. DC became an entity and was used as collateral to UNK as collateral for money... View More

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on May 13, 2020

Assuming the land patent is in your chain of title, If you granted the land as security for the mortgage, then no the mortgage is superior to your personal claim of title as a citizen, etc. If there are two chains of title, then the one with an earlier Warranty Deed is probably superior due to... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant and Real Estate Law for Arizona on
Q: I bought my home with a friend we are both legally the owners of the home. He does not live in this house anymore

I’m just looking for any further legal information that I could be aware of. So that he knows what’s in state for him and also for me of course.He has not paid the mortgage for about a year since he moved out he does not pay electric bills water bills or even any other home repairs that were... View More

Peter H. Westby
Peter H. Westby
answered on Apr 20, 2020

You and your friend remain partners in this home. He may continue to participate in any appreciation in value along with you. You can terminate the partnership by buying him out. You may need to refinance to do this. Or you can sell the home and divide the proceeds in a way fair to both of you.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Landlord - Tenant for Arizona on
Q: Broke lease due to Job loss. Rent was current and prepaid 1m security dep. Owner listed for $225 higher. Unreasonable?

Was only 5m into 12m lease. Explained job loss (COVID). Landlord was understanding. Paid full rent ($1875) on the first, and was out on the 8th. Had also paid a full month of rent as security deposit and $500 in non-refundable cleaning fees. Was hoping landlord could get re-rented within the 7... View More

Peter H. Westby
Peter H. Westby
answered on Apr 14, 2020

I recommend that you consult with a real estate attorney if your landlord makes a claim against you for additional rent. Your landlord must mitigate its damages under Arizona law and the reasonableness of the landlords attempt to re-rent is a fact issue for the judge to decide should a claim be... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Arizona on
Q: Got the final bill from our last apartment complex, they charged us for far more than we expected. What can we do?

Our last complex is charging us for a few additional things then expected. Most notably new carpets with pet sealant when only one needed to be replaced as it became loose after water heater issues last year. And for resealing the bathtubs (2) when I had been told in roughly Dec 2017 that... View More

Peter H. Westby
Peter H. Westby
answered on Apr 13, 2020

You have the right to negotiate with your landlord to see if you can obtain a better result. If negotiation is unsuccessful you have the right to take the matter to court and ask a judge or hearing officer to decide the issue. But you need to be aware that, if you choose to go to court, it is... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Arizona on
Q: Can I use just real estate attorney to buy property directly from owner, and avoid the title company?

I want to buy a piece of property in Arizona for $42K directly from the owners. The owners will finance the loan. They don't want to involve outside parties like real estate or title company.

I talked to a title company and they want about $3,500 to handle everything. I'd... View More

Peter H. Westby
Peter H. Westby
answered on Mar 4, 2020

It is legal to do as you suggest but I strongly recommend against handling a real estate transaction this way. You would be much better served and better protected to have a title company handle this matter so you will have a title insurance policy and know that you are getting clear title to the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Foreclosure, Real Estate Law and Tax Law for Arizona on
Q: Own a property in Pima county that is going to foreclosure, because One of the owners has a lien on the property

For back due taxes on his business. I want my half of the value of the property before it forecloses.

How do I put a lien on this?

Diane L. Drain
Diane L. Drain
answered on Feb 20, 2020

An owner cannot have a lien on their own property. If the lender was an entity of the owner, then the entity can have a lien. Talk to an experienced litigator, with real estate experience.

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law, Divorce and Estate Planning for Arizona on
Q: 1. Can a married couple file their our Will for distribution of half and half of our property?

The are specific in the Will about sealing and distributing the items and monies? Due to having started with a blended family.

Nina Whitehurst
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answered on Feb 13, 2020

Wills do not get "filed" anywhere until after the testator/testatrix passes; until then they are private.

Planning for blended families can be complicated, especially if both spouses want to provide for the surviving spouse but still protect the inheritance of the children of...
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1 Answer | Asked in Land Use & Zoning and Real Estate Law for Arizona on
Q: Do other access roads, though not in good condition, negate a prescriptive easement?

A prescriptive easement exists and a new property owner fenced the easement. Can the new property owner legally fence off the easement? Three other access roads exist, however, none of them are in good condition and are longer. Can the new owner be forced to remove the fence? And do the other... View More

Peter H. Westby
Peter H. Westby
answered on Jan 13, 2020

This is not a question that can be easily answered here. The answer depends upon many facts that were not included in your fact summary, including but not limited to the history of the easement that has been fenced off. I strongly recommend that you have this matter reviewed by a real estate... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Arizona on
Q: A question on paying real estate commissions to a management company that was terminated.

I am selling a residential rental property to the tenant. I have a contract with the old management company that requires I pay them 6% if selling within 180 days of the lease termination, even though I brought the tenant to them. I terminated the lease early and had a new lease signed. I also... View More

Peter H. Westby
Peter H. Westby
answered on Jan 7, 2020

I strongly recommend that you consult with a real estate attorney. Your question cannot be answered without reviewing the contracts and other materials you mentioned, including correspondence between you and the management company. You can be sure that the management company will interpret its... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Foreclosure and Real Estate Law for Arizona on
Q: There is an auction coming up, I saw the owner just placed a "lis Pendens" to stall post auction.

Checking the county recorder's office, this was recently filed. The bank foreclosed, but it looks like she wants to live in the house awhile after the auction. How much trouble will a Lis Pendens be? It could be that she thinks no one will bid on her house with that move. I don't... View More

Peter H. Westby
Peter H. Westby
answered on Jan 2, 2020

A lis pendens is intended to give notice of litigation that is currently pending and concerns issues of title or ownership of the real property. It creates a unlawful cloud on title if used for any other purpose and can be removed by court order if necessary. Assuming the pending foreclosure was... View More

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