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
1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Georgia on
Q: Can a builder place a road 10' from your back property line thus sandwiching your home between 2 roads?

I am asking this because other than an alley, I don't recall ever seeing it.

Michael D. Birchmore
Michael D. Birchmore
answered on Aug 26, 2021

Obviously we cannot provide a reliable response here. In order to know enough to be sure, land deeds and surveys will need to be reviewed. Easement law also needs to be mentioned. I am unaware of a law that would prevent this under your given facts. You should meet with an attorney with... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Georgia on
Q: Can a minority landowner in Georgia(1/3 ownership), compel the majority owner to either sell or offer a fair market val?

value? This was an inherited property , and the principal owner is not forthcoming about location, value , etc. The 1/3rd is owned by my mother's estate, of which I share with 2 siblings. My sister is the executor of the estate.

Michael D. Birchmore
Michael D. Birchmore
answered on Aug 26, 2021

Listen carefully. This is tricky stuff. Meet with and attorney who practices real property (real estate) law. Mention the term "partitioning." Please do not do this without legal counsel. Make an error here and it might not be fixable.

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Georgia on
Q: Where can I find information about diverting or increasing water flow onto another property causing it to flood in GA?

My property has become a flood plain due to "neighbors" above me paving parking lots and diverting and increasing the water flow onto my property causing damage to my property and causing it and other properties below mine to flood during heavy rains.

Michael D. Birchmore
Michael D. Birchmore
answered on Aug 26, 2021

You need to meet with competent legal counsel now. Not later. You want to mitigate the damage as much as possible.

When you meet with the attorney, tell him/her that you need assistance with a "nuisance" to your property. Mention the encroachment of the water and its origin...
View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Georgia on
Q: I'm looking for a real estate lawyer that is well versed with owner financing agreement.

Good afternoon,

I'm looking for a real estate lawyer that is well versed with owner financing agreement and how it would convey title from the seller to myself. He/she would read and interpret the contract that was furnished by the seller and determine if it is legally binding and... View More

Michael D. Birchmore
Michael D. Birchmore
answered on Aug 25, 2021

Very sorry, but we are not allowed to solicit work on the website. You may find reputable representation on the website's "Find a Lawyer" page.

2 Answers | Asked in Child Custody, Family Law and Real Estate Law for Georgia on
Q: I Divorced my wife in Alabama. We have joint custody. She moved to Atlanta without required notice.

I don’t know where they reside nor can I talk to them. They sneak to call me. Do I need an attorney to file an objection and can I file in Alabama without an Attorney?

Regina Irene Edwards
PREMIUM
Regina Irene Edwards pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Aug 24, 2021

If you live in Alabama, you need to hire an Alabama attorney.

View More Answers

2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning, Real Estate Law and Insurance Defense for Georgia on
Q: Can a Remainderman purchase their own dwelling homeowner insurance policy to cover and protect interest

Life estate tenant has own homeowner dwelling policy, listed as insured full dwelling coverage on home and property, but remainder men are not covered at all. Is it legal that we can purchase our own policy to protect our interest?

Anthony M. Avery
PREMIUM
Anthony M. Avery pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Aug 23, 2021

There is nothing illegal about the remaindermen being insured for property loss. But you will have to carefully find a willing insurance company that will inure a dwelling in which there is an occupany that is not the insured. When you get the policy, read it.

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Georgia on
Q: Is a lease agreement considered terminated if a new tenant moved in and begins paying rent?

A landlord gave me written permission to leave my lease early. After I told her the date that I wanted to leave she said I would only have to pay rent if a new tenant did not move in. The landlord successfully found a new person to move in and they did so two days after I moved out. The landlord... View More

Michael D. Birchmore
Michael D. Birchmore
answered on Aug 20, 2021

The answer should be contained in the language of the lease itself. Look to the lease. It will be interpreted literally.

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant and Real Estate Law for Georgia on
Q: I rent commercial property, and I would like to know where I can take my rent money to be held until repairs are made.

the air conditioner is not working I have tried to have it fix but it is not a minor repair, this the landlord should have repaired but he doesn't want to talk about it. And I'm afraid that if I keep paying him he will not fix it. and if I do not pay he will threaten to evict me and kick... View More

Michael D. Birchmore
Michael D. Birchmore
answered on Aug 20, 2021

It sounds like you are in a business arrangement. I have always advised folks that if they are going to be in business, then BE in business. By this I mean that what you are doing here is a business matter. Because this situation involves too many moving parts, it cannot be adequately addressed... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Foreclosure, Real Estate Law, Landlord - Tenant and Legal Malpractice for Georgia on
Q: The indenture date on the deed under power has the 3rd Tues, shouldn't it be dated the 1st Tues to be a forclosur sale?

The lender foreclosure/indenture date of sale is the 3rd Tues, instead of the 1st Tues. The purchaser that bought the house from the lender has all the foreclosure fees in the HUD STATEMENT. Sale date is the 3rd Tues.

Can a lender avoid going to the court house steps & sell/foreclose on... View More

Michael D. Birchmore
Michael D. Birchmore
answered on Aug 18, 2021

Your second paragraph is answered "It depends." The devil is in the wording of the documents.

The first paragraph does not ask a question.

If your question is only one question involving both paragraphs, again the answer would be "It depends."

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Georgia on
Q: I am looking for an attorney that will represent a homeowner that specializes in interpreting HOA Documents.

HOA documents are dated. The Developer turned this community over to the HOA in 2005. the documents say that a home must be completed in 12 months or less. That would be impossible to do in normal times and certainly now that we are dealing with so many delays. Also, HOA says no fences and they... View More

Michael D. Birchmore
Michael D. Birchmore
answered on Aug 18, 2021

You should hustle now and sit down with an attorney who litigate real property (land) issues. You will not get a quick answer. First, the attorney is going to have to scour the county deed/land records before he/she will even know what is and isn't allowed. Don't wait. Run quickly to... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant, Contracts and Real Estate Law for Georgia on
Q: Is it safe to rent or to a tenant due to COVID 19
Michael D. Birchmore
Michael D. Birchmore
answered on Aug 18, 2021

Sorry. This is not a legal question. You'll have to figure this one out on your own.

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Georgia on
Q: Who's responsible for a dilapidated fence that surrounds my property?

A neighborhood borders my property and built a fence around us before our house was even built. Now that fence is falling apart. HOA says it's the neighbors or whoever's property its on is their responsibility. My Plat says "neigh wood fence" but there are places where the fence... View More

Joshua Schiffer
Joshua Schiffer
answered on Aug 17, 2021

The owner of the land the fence is on has the obligations unless there are other agreements.

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Georgia on
Q: I purchased a vacant lot. There was a sculpting on the land. The neighbor, the artist has removed it from my property

Do I just let him have it? The survey noted on the survey at closing "Neighbor's Art Over Property Line" He didn't contact me. He just came onto my property and took it.

Michael D. Birchmore
Michael D. Birchmore
answered on Aug 10, 2021

The land is called "real" property. Anything on it that is not attached or 'connected' to the real property is called 'personal' property. Because the sculpture was not 'connected' to the land it was personal property that the owner (sculptor) could remove.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Georgia on
Q: We closed, as buyers, 2 months ago but our home is still listed as "Pending." Isn't there a time limit to list as sold?

This matters to me because the other homes listed for sale in my neighborhood do not see our purchase price. (over asking) This could end up affecting our resale value.

***Edit***

I must not have made myself clear. I want people to see what we paid. The MLS still shows our house... View More

Michael D. Birchmore
Michael D. Birchmore
answered on Jul 30, 2021

If you are worried that someone will learn what you paid, you should know that this information is readily available on multiple state websites without charge. If you are simply being bothered by nosey neighbors wanting to know what you paid, just be honest with them. Tell them that you would... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Georgia on
Q: Can tenant withhold rent when utilities are cut off due to landlord's failure to pay?

in Mississippi

Michael D. Birchmore
Michael D. Birchmore
answered on Jul 25, 2021

You are asking GA attorneys about a MS legal issue. You need to put the question in front of the MS attorneys. Resubmit the question and be sure you are sending everything to the correct attorneys.

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Tax Law for Georgia on
Q: When did this situation start I bought property last year and as a buyer I didn't get anything like this.
Michael D. Birchmore
Michael D. Birchmore
answered on Jul 21, 2021

Your question makes no sense. Try again and provide actual information regarding your situation.

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Georgia on
Q: Can I be the power of attorney agent as well as the witness?
Michael D. Birchmore
Michael D. Birchmore
answered on Jul 21, 2021

Your question does not provide enough factual information for us to provide a dependable answer.

That said, a person appointed to sign under a POA cannot be a witness because the person would then be witnessing their own signature.

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law, Estate Planning and Probate for Georgia on
Q: How would I get my nephew out of my house? He has been living with my parents who recently died the house is in my name.

Living there on and off for a year and has mail come there.

Homer P Jordan IV
Homer P Jordan IV
answered on Jul 20, 2021

If it’s legally your house then you can have him evicted. You will need to go the legal route to do so.

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Collections for Georgia on
Q: How to clear up FIFA judgements against a rental property?

I hold title to a single-family rental property. The property has 4 relatively old FIFA judgements against it totaling up to about $12,000 (not including interest accrued since dates of judgements). The judgements were related to credit cards debt of another person (not my spouse) who owned the... View More

Michael D. Birchmore
Michael D. Birchmore
answered on Jul 19, 2021

I understand your reluctance to proceed on your own. Accordingly, speak with local counsel who can help you decide on the right course of action for your situation.

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Georgia on
Q: how can I get my cousin over property he want me to sign over to him that was my granddads he wants my signature.

my grand dad passed my cousins dad lived there after he passed then my uncle passed his dad the estate hasnt been settled he said he wants me to sign the land and 8 others the property to him since his dad paid the taxes he sent me a bill for clean up it was $2500 then said he would buy my share of... View More

Michael D. Birchmore
Michael D. Birchmore
answered on Jul 2, 2021

Basically don't do anything you don't want to do. If he persists, tell him to have his attorney (even if he doesn't have one) to draw up whatever documents they would want you to sign. When you get the papers, (which I doubt will ever come to you), if you did get papers - do NOT... 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.