Ask a Question

Get free answers to your Real Estate Law legal questions from lawyers in your area.

Lawyers, increase your visibility by answering questions and getting points. Answer Questions
Georgia Real Estate Law Questions & Answers
2 Answers | Asked in Tax Law and Real Estate Law for Georgia on
Q: Is the land office allowed to sell property for taxes owed without a deed?

Also can the land office tax you for a house on open property and change status of farm to residence without your approval?

James Clifton
PREMIUM
James Clifton
answered on Dec 23, 2024

Yes, the tax commissioner can sell the property for past due taxes. If the sale has occurred, you still may be able to redeem the property by paying the past due amount plus interest, fees, etc. You may also be able to recover money from the tax sale. If a house was built on the property, the... View More

View More Answers

2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law for Georgia on
Q: If 3 people's names are on a deed and 1 of the persons lives there exclusively. Can the other two charge him rent?
James Clifton
PREMIUM
James Clifton
answered on Dec 6, 2024

One co-owner cannot exclude the other co-owners. If they do, the other co-owners are entitled to a reasonable amount of rent from the co-owner who is excluding them. If they are unwilling to pay rent, your will have to file a lawsuit. You can force the sale of the property through a partition... View More

View More Answers

3 Answers | Asked in Divorce, Family Law and Real Estate Law for Georgia on
Q: I want to sell my house but my ex wife does not want to. The title is under my name and the deed is in both our names.

There was no court settlement at the time of the divorce as we chose to do that on our own. My ex refuses to sign a quit claim. How can I proceed to have her name removed from the deed? Can I still sell the house even if she does not want to ?

James Clifton
PREMIUM
James Clifton
answered on Nov 19, 2024

You cannot remove her name from the deed without her consent. You can force her to sell the property, but that can only be accomplished through a partition lawsuit. In a partition lawsuit, you ask the court to divide the property evenly. This typically only works if the property is undeveloped... View More

View More Answers

3 Answers | Asked in Divorce, Family Law and Real Estate Law for Georgia on
Q: I want to sell my house but my ex wife does not want to. The title is under my name and the deed is in both our names.

There was no court settlement at the time of the divorce as we chose to do that on our own. My ex refuses to sign a quit claim. How can I proceed to have her name removed from the deed? Can I still sell the house even if she does not want to ?

Alake Colwell Furlow
Alake Colwell Furlow
answered on Nov 19, 2024

Handling this divorce on your own and not having the Court address what would happen with the residence, means that no, you cannot force your ex to do anything without taking them back to court. If it is not a part of the previous final judgment, then there is no order to force your spouse to... View More

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Georgia on
Q: revocable trust. land and mobile home on schedule A i was successor trustee and beneficiary. Can heirs file no admin

In probate. His heirs did nothing after his death for two years. Property was xfer to estate after it was already trnxfer to me

James Clifton
PREMIUM
James Clifton
answered on Oct 30, 2024

The land and mobile home are titled assets. If the title to the mobile home and land were not transferred to the trust during the trust maker's lifetime then they do not transfer according to the terms of the trust and would instead be subject to probate, like the no administration necessary... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Real Estate Law, Landlord - Tenant and Probate for Georgia on
Q: on a special warranty deed with husband and wife name followed by "joint tenancy", are rights of survivorship automatic
James Clifton
PREMIUM
James Clifton
answered on Oct 29, 2024

If the tenancy was intended to be joint tenancy and not tenancy in common, survivorship rights should be automatic. If that is the case, the only thing necessary to vest title in the survivor would be a Affidavit of Survivorship and a copy of the death certificate. A complete review of the deed... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Georgia on
Q: Does my ex husband have to sign to refinance
James Clifton
PREMIUM
James Clifton
answered on Oct 23, 2024

If you qualify for the mortgage by yourself, it is possible to refinance without your ex husband's signature even if he was on the previous mortgage. The divorce decree may also provide some guidance on how and when the refinance can take place. Your ex husband may need to sign a deed to you... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Probate for Georgia on
Q: How do I preplace my name for my deceased on the home's deed which is listed as tenants in common

I am the executor of her state and have gone through probate but did not change the name at the time. I live in Florida, my mom's house in in Augusta ,Ga

James Clifton
PREMIUM
James Clifton
answered on Oct 22, 2024

It depends on where probate was completed. If probate was completed within the State of Georgia, you will only need an executor's deed to transfer the property. If the probate was completed outside of the State of Georgia, you will need exemplified copies of the letters testamentary and will... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law, Construction Law and Business Law for Georgia on
Q: I'm seeking help to place a lien on a property with an unpaid balance of $37,310

I'm a vendor for a painting company that handles interior painting for apartments when tenants move out. We have an outstanding balance of $37,310 with a property located at 370 Northside Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30318.

We’ve tried reaching out through emails and visits, and all our... View More

Anthony M. Avery
PREMIUM
Anthony M. Avery pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Oct 10, 2024

Hire a competent GA attorney to draft and record a Materialman's Lien against the property. You also may consider suing the entity you contracted with for the debt owing. Hopefully the actual owner contracted with you. It is doubtful you will be made whole due to the expenses involved in... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Contracts and Real Estate Law for Georgia on
Q: How do I get the title of my home from the seller.

I entered into a lease to purchase agreement with my landlord. Once the contract and purchase were completed they refused to produce title to my home. It has been 5 years and they haven't produced the title. I now have a case pending in court, to be heard by the judge on October 24. What are... View More

Anthony M. Avery
PREMIUM
Anthony M. Avery pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Oct 8, 2024

Hopefully you have a GA attorney representing you. You will not be able to try this yourself. Proof of the contract, all payments, no tenant defaults and the landlord's default , will all have to be proven in Court. If you win, you will need to draft an Order and probably a Deed.... View More

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Real Estate Law, Child Custody and Child Support for Georgia on
Q: What if the other party's lawyer is asking demands via phone and refuses to email me anything? Can I report him?

The father of my child is asking us to leave the house, under his name, and is demanding short time. He moved out years ago. The lawyer has not presented me with papers or anything physical but constantly calls me, and reminds me of deadline. I told him, nothing is legitimate until I see papers.... View More

Alake Colwell Furlow
Alake Colwell Furlow
answered on Sep 22, 2024

If you have a family court case you should hire an attorney with experience in handling those matters. As you are the opposing party, and you do not have an attorney, the attorney representing the other party does have to speak directly to you, regarding the case. And they can choose to... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law for Georgia on
Q: Can joint tenant w right of survivorship sell their share to 3rd party?

I co-own a house with former partner who stayed in the house after breaking up and is also the only one on the mortgage. Can I sell my half ownership to a third party? Should I get a lawyer if I want to file suit for petition to sell? Can I enter the property at any time and stay/use it as I please?

Anthony M. Avery
PREMIUM
Anthony M. Avery pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Sep 20, 2024

You can convey your interest, but it is not one-half. Assuming you have correctly stated your estate, you own an expectation of being the surviving tenant and taking the whole, subject to the secured debt. Otherwise your interest is extinguished. Hire a GA attorney to draft your deed if you... View More

View More Answers

2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law for Georgia on
Q: Can joint tenant w right of survivorship sell their share to 3rd party?

I co-own a house with former partner who stayed in the house after breaking up and is also the only one on the mortgage. Can I sell my half ownership to a third party? Should I get a lawyer if I want to file suit for petition to sell? Can I enter the property at any time and stay/use it as I please?

James Clifton
PREMIUM
James Clifton
answered on Sep 20, 2024

If you can find someone who would be interested in buying your half only, you can absolutely sell to them without restriction. However, it is difficult finding someone who will accept partial ownership of property.

You will definitely need a lawyer for a partition action to force the sale...
View More

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Family Law, Real Estate Law and Probate for Georgia on
Q: Is a Transfer on Death Deed legal in Georgia?
James Clifton
PREMIUM
James Clifton
answered on Sep 11, 2024

Yes, as of July of 2024, transfer on death deeds are legal and enforceable in the state of Georgia. The transferee does not become an owner of the property until the death of the transferor. The transferee is required to file an affidavit within 9 months of the death of the transferor. If no... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Georgia on
Q: Hi my name is Debbie years ago I sold some property to my Uncle with a hand written letter and had it notarized

He recently passed away he never put the property in his name he had no will would I be able to sell the property again

James Clifton
PREMIUM
James Clifton
answered on Sep 6, 2024

If your intent was to sell the property, it would be fraudulent to sell it again. On the other hand, if the legal formalities of transferring the property were not met, the transfer would not be effective, in which case you could sell the property again. If you attempt to sell it again, you run the... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law for Georgia on
Q: How do I find out if property is in my name?

My father passed a few years ago and I was trying to see if any property he owned could be inherited.

John P. Conlon
John P. Conlon
answered on Sep 3, 2024

Here in California there are several avenues to determine the owner of real estate. The fastest manner to determine ownership of real estate in California is to contact the Assessors Office in the county the property is located and provide a combination of address, APN or past owner. You can also... View More

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Land Use & Zoning and Real Estate Law for Georgia on
Q: I have purchased land, was given a quick claim deed. However I am trying to sell the land,

Found out the land when purchased by owner did not go thru the proper channel for getting clear title. Can I file and receive a BONDED TITLE? Or what are my options

James Clifton
PREMIUM
James Clifton
answered on Aug 29, 2024

In your situation, a bonded title may not be the appropriate solution since it's generally used for vehicles. For real estate, resolving the title issue typically requires going through a process called a "quiet title action" in court. This legal procedure is used to establish... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Real Estate Law for Georgia on
Q: A friend's father recently died while in hospice care at a nurse home . Before he died, someone took items from his home

The person in question had a key , and in front of two deputies, claimed she had some of her property in deceased's home.. and proceeded to fill three pick-up trucks with items removed from the home . Deceased has a will, yet to be addressed, isn't illegal to remove any items until any... View More

Nina Whitehurst
PREMIUM
Nina Whitehurst pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Sep 20, 2024

It is not illegal for a person to take property that belongs to him or her if that can be done without trespassing.

It is illegal, of course, for a person to steal from the estate, i.e. to take personal property that does not belong to him or her.

If this individual did steal from...
View More

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Georgia on
Q: My mom passed away and had a will done in Ga but the Notery signed on the witness line as well. Is it a legal will?,

My son got his hands on the property will and won't hand it over to me

Jennifer Pierce
Jennifer Pierce
answered on Aug 9, 2024

Georgia law requires a will to be witnessed by 2 people who are competent to do so. It does not require notarization. If the will does not have the correct amount of witnesses, the probate court may deem the will to be invalid.

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Georgia on
Q: a mortgage lender worker said I wasn't on the deed but I'm on the recorded deed at the courthouse how is this possible

I been paying on the mortgage not knowing I was a co owner joint tenant with rights or survivorship I never signed for a mortgage or spoke to anyone I need help I cant get my son in school if I don't have the title but I'm a co owner

Jennifer Pierce
Jennifer Pierce
answered on Aug 9, 2024

It is unclear from your post if the mortgage lender was referring to you not being on the mortgage or not being an owner of the property. There are 2 different kinds of deeds they could have been referring to - the Security Deed, which is the mortgage document, and the deed which conveyed... View More

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.