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California Real Estate Law Questions & Answers
4 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning, Family Law and Real Estate Law for California on
Q: What is the best/safest kind of deed to use to transfer a primary residence to a revocable living trust?

Three of us joint tenants in California would like to put our home in the family living trust.

We plan on keeping our home in our family for generations to come.

Do you recommend one deed over another: grant, warranty, quitclaim, etc.?

Can any of the deeds cause issues for... View More

Julie King
Julie King
answered on Dec 13, 2024

Two quick points. First, each person needs his/her/their own trust. Person A should not put their asset into Person B's trust. Person B should put their share of the property into Person B's own trust. Second, if you don't prepare the documents EXACTLY as required by law and county... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Insurance Bad Faith and Real Estate Law for California on
Q: Do homeowners have a duty to maintain trees or can they rely on insurance companies to cover any damages they cause?

Neighbor is limiting the use of my driveway. I cannot park in my own driveway where I want because of a hazardous tree.

A homeowner on my street, has a hazardous tree he refuses to remove (a very large dead Modesto Ash). The ground at the base of the tree can be seen lifting up during... View More

William John Light
William John Light
answered on Dec 13, 2024

You can contact the city, which may have an ordinance about diseased or dead vegetation. Code enforcement might require him to remove the tree. Otherwise, you would have to file a lawsuit alleging a nuisance, and request an injunction ordering him to remove the dead tree. You would need a... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Probate and Real Estate Law for California on
Q: Hello, I just inherited property with a mortgage through probate. The decedent was my aunt.

I inherited the property as equally shared between my mom (decedent's sister), my sibling, and I. From prior research, I thought we would have to "assume" the mortgage, but now I see that we could be "successors of interest"? Would we be able to stay as... View More

Nina Whitehurst
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answered on Dec 13, 2024

IF THIS IS A HOME, pursuant to the Garn-St. Germain Act, the lender cannot call the loan due solely because the borrower died and relatives now own the home. But the lender can foreclose if the payments are past due.

Pursuant to other federal regulations, none of the inheritors must...
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2 Answers | Asked in Contracts, Real Estate Law and Small Claims for California on
Q: Is an offer made via email binding, if a subsequent paper agreement was executed with a term omitted.

Landlord: Michael Just to clarify you agree to move out tomorrow 11/8/24 if I return your prorated rent for the remainder of the month, and your security deposit after inspection of the room (as explained in the rental agreement), and you will not pursue legal action. Is that correct.

Me:... View More

Jonathan Kintzele
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answered on Dec 5, 2024

The subsequent agreement will govern, and you can likely be even more confident that this is the result by reviewing the subsequent agreement for an integration or "whole agreement" provision. This provision is likely to be in most formal agreements (this is more likely if attorneys... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law, Real Estate Law and Business Law for California on
Q: I inherited half my uncle's residence which is a duplex. He receives rental income I get nothing Can I force him to sale

I'm co-owner since 2009 the property is located in Korea town in Los Angeles ca. 6 years ago I appraised and market was at $1.2m must higher now. Since then my uncle will not speak to me or acknowledge I own half He never splits any rental income with me like he did with my mom He just ignored... View More

James Clifton
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James Clifton
answered on Nov 25, 2024

You can force the sale through a partition lawsuit. In the lawsuit, the court determines if the property can be divided evenly. If the property cannot be physically divided, the court will force the sale of the property. Each party will receive half of the money from the sale subject to offset for... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning, Real Estate Law and Probate for California on
Q: My husband inherited his Mom's house (handwritten will). Does he have to go through probate to get the deed in his name?

We already lived with her for about a year because she was sick and needed our help. She was too sick at the end and she passed before she could make a quick deed. My husband also got very sick and couldn't take care of the title change yet. What does he have to do to get the deed in his name?... View More

Gerald Barry Dorfman
Gerald Barry Dorfman
answered on Nov 18, 2024

Yes, if the current deed (that the mom had upon death) is not held in joint tenancy or designated "transfer on death", then probate will be necessary to have it put in your husband's name. The sooner he gets started the better. The City may accept his permission once he is appointed... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law for California on
Q: My mother and I were joint tenants in common on a deed to property since 2009. I resided and still do at the property.

My mother and I were joint tenants in common on a deed to property since 2009. I resided and still do at the property and am still covering the mortgage and all other expenses and renovations. One brother (I have two older) presented a trust AFTER my mom passed. The trust shows him as trustee to... View More

James Clifton
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James Clifton
answered on Nov 10, 2024

If your name was on the deed, there is no way your brother could have legally removed you from the deed. If your mother's portion of the property was placed in her trust prior to her death, then your mother's 50% of the property is subject to the terms of the trust. If your mother did not... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Foreclosure and Real Estate Law for California on
Q: How to stop a fore closure by my lender mortgage company. I have a personnel loan or hard money loan with the company.

I live at and this my primary residence

James Clifton
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James Clifton
answered on Nov 9, 2024

Stopping a foreclosure on a hard money loan may be very difficult. If this property was your primary residence prior to taking out the loan, you may be entitled to additional protections. However, many times the paperwork that you sign when you take out the loan includes an affidavit where you... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning, Real Estate Law and Probate for California on
Q: Lender added me on the deed as trustee along with my mother on my mother’s trust and on the loan as a co-borrower.

I’m named in my mother’s trust as successor trustee along with siblings. Is this the correct procedure. If not how to correct.

Julie King
Julie King
answered on Oct 30, 2024

No, that is not the correct procedure. Among other things, the real estate should be titled in the trust. There are a lot of legal issues in your question including there may be too many people named as Successor Trustees (depending on the number of siblings.) Your mother really needs to see an... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law and Probate for California on
Q: Can a grant deed that will be filed in California be notarized in Oregon?

Real property will be transferred via probate. Executor currently has work in Oregon so we would like to know if it can be done this way for convenience. Thank you!

Nina Whitehurst
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answered on Oct 25, 2024

Yes, a deed can be notarized anywhere is the US (notarizing outside the US is more complicated) and then recorded in California. But California will (wrongfully in my opinion) insist on the use of the California statutory notarial affidavit. The trick is finding an out of state notary who knows how... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law for California on
Q: Current lease requires 30 day notice but have also signed a new lease that has not started for another 60 days

current lease expires 11/29/24, new lease starts 11/30/24. Can I provide written notice to leave 30 days in advance per the current lease and not be obligated under the new one that has not begun yet

Jonathan Kintzele
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answered on Oct 9, 2024

If I understand the question correctly, your new lease begins the following day after the expiration of your existing lease. You may have changed your mind after signing the new lease, with the same landlord at the same property. You want to know if you can avoid the commencement of the new lease... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law and Landlord - Tenant for California on
Q: Inherited house my parent lived in. I have a sibling living in there, no lease. It has been two years. How to get out?

The sibling has been difficult. Has changed things, like the locks, without consent. They have thrown things away that belonged to our parent. They have someone living there without my consent. They have no claim to it. They have done very minor up keep and repairs, but, again, without consent or... View More

James Clifton
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James Clifton
answered on Oct 2, 2024

If you solely inherited a house and a sibling is living there without a lease or your consent, you can legally remove them through the following steps:

Notice to Quit: Issue a written notice requesting them to vacate the property. California law generally requires 30 days’ notice, but it...
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2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law for California on
Q: I own 20 acres of vacant land with another party. I have been solely paying the taxes for the last 9 years.

They recently passed away, but never paid their portion of the taxes. What can I do to obtain 100% ownership of the land or get the lot split

James Clifton
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James Clifton
answered on Oct 2, 2024

Without buying out the other owner's share, you would need to file a partition to split the property between yourself and the other owner's estate. You can also file a claim for contribution against the estate or include the claim for contribution in the partition to have half of the... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy and Real Estate Law for California on
Q: My house is in pre-foreclosure. What are our options?

We got a second mortgage from Specialized Loan Servicing (SLS) in 11/2006. Now our house is in pre-foreclosure by a company called Real Time Resolutions (RTR).

In 2011, my wife and I filed bankruptcy (Ch 7). After our bankruptcy, we thought that debt was discharged. We never received any... View More

James Clifton
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James Clifton
answered on Sep 30, 2024

You are not alone. Real Time Resolutions is currently holding many very old loans that are severely delinquent and is putting many unsuspecting homeowners into foreclosure.

Whenever there is a pending foreclosure, you have many options. You can request a loan modification, refinance the...
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3 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy and Real Estate Law for California on
Q: My house is in pre-foreclosure. What are our options?

We got a second mortgage from Specialized Loan Servicing (SLS) in 11/2006. Now our house is in pre-foreclosure by a company called Real Time Resolutions (RTR).

In 2011, my wife and I filed bankruptcy (Ch 7). After our bankruptcy, we thought that debt was discharged. We never received any... View More

W. J. Winterstein Jr.
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W. J. Winterstein Jr.
answered on Sep 30, 2024

With certain exceptions under the Bankruptcy Code, which must be initiated by the debtor, perfected liens against your residence are not discharged.

You either should have known that much or asked your bankruptcy attorney in 2011 while your case was open.

Assignments of Mortgage...
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2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law, Probate and Estate Planning for California on
Q: I would like to take adverse possession of an abandoned property. Where should I start as far as legal process goes?

The neighbors cut my locks and relocked the gate that I used to gain entry. I had documented the adverse possession sign that I posted before then and I documented the conditions of the property. The house has been abandoned over 20 years and the neighbors dont believe I have the right to be there.... View More

Howard E. Kane
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Howard E. Kane
answered on Oct 1, 2024

Since the previous owner is deceased, you will need to sue the estate of the decedent for adverse possession. Hence, the first step should be to petition the probate court to appoint an administrator of the decedent's estate. Once an administrator is appointed, you can then proceed with an... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Divorce, Family Law and Real Estate Law for California on
Q: So I have a divorce agreement since 2006 and my ex wife has yet to pay me off my 40% stake.

My ex wife has since remarried and has refinanced the property several times, but has yet to compensate my 40% stake my way. The fact that she has remarried and refinanced, does that mean that she should have paid me my stake off ? My name is not on the deed of the house anymore.

For... View More

James Clifton
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James Clifton
answered on Sep 26, 2024

The language in the divorce decree controls when your ex wife has to pay you for your interest in the property. Even though your name is no longer on the deed, your divorce agreement entitles you to a 40% stake in the property if that is the language contained in the agreement. The fact that your... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Contracts, Estate Planning, Family Law and Real Estate Law for California on
Q: Can I take ownership/control of property owned by my sister who is on drugs, brain damaged and lives homeless?

Sister on drugs (lifetime), homeless by choice (brain permanently damaged - drugs). Mom helped her spend her inheritance from father (now deceased) to buy a home for her and her kids. State took her kids from her (due to drugs and mental issues), and she "ran away" from her house to be... View More

Julie King
Julie King
answered on Sep 6, 2024

You'd need to become her conservator. Conservatorships have notice and other requirements to be sure someone isn't "railroading" a relative and becoming a conservator just so they can steal the disabled person's assets. I'm NOT saying that is what you are doing.... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law for California on
Q: How can I get my half from the other co-owner who took over property management and stopped communicating?

A 50% co-owner has taken over all duties of several rented properties without consent from the other 50% co-owner. My older brother is now collecting all rental revenues including their management. We inherited the properties from our late father. Besides probate and deed's stating 50%... View More

James Clifton
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James Clifton
answered on Sep 19, 2024

You have equal rights to the property's income and management decisions. If your brother has taken over without agreement, this could be seen as an exclusion, which might entitle you to compensation for your share of the property's rental value during this period.

You can also...
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2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Real Estate Law for California on
Q: My mother is 86 years old and has decided to sell her home. However, she is concerned that she may pass before it sells

My mothers health is failing. She has asked if I will help her make a trust online. Which trust would be best for her situation. Just incase, it does not sell first. I am getting it ready to put it on the market soon. Any advice will be greatly appreciated, Thank You

Julie King
Julie King
answered on Sep 11, 2024

There are some legal documents that I would say you can get away with pulling an online document from a legal internet site. But, unfortunately, trusts are NOT that type of document. They are very technical and one wrong word can cause a completely different outcome than desired. Whenever people... View More

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