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North Carolina Real Estate Law Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Civil Litigation and Real Estate Law for North Carolina on
Q: Brother and I own home titled joint tenants with rights of survivorship through inheritance. As I did not want to sell

the home which I had the right to do as executor of estate, we agreed that brother would live in home paying for all upkeep.Brother has a spouse. (whom he married after we became joint owners) Brother has passed away. Spouse is making a claim for property. Does spouse have any legal rights to... View More

Ben Corcoran
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Ben Corcoran
answered on Jan 31, 2023

I would have to check to make sure that your brother didn't add his wife to the deed before he passed, before giving my full legal opinion. But in the scenario you outlined, since the ownership was joint with the right of survivorship between you and your brother, once your brother passed,... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for North Carolina on
Q: Hypothetically, two people have a disagreement on a property line.

If two landowners have a disagreement on a property line, and #1 is destroying a property line fence should #2 file a lawsuit against #1 or wait for #2 to file one first?

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Jan 9, 2023

The adjoining landowner should sue for a Boundary Line Dispute, Trespass, Damages, etc. quickly, as otherwise the one tearing down the fence will start claiming more land as his. After awhile, both owners acquiesce to a new boundary. Hire a NC real property litigator now.

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Land Use & Zoning for North Carolina on
Q: Cannot get neighbor to agree on a line agreement after her surveyor and ours want sign papers. What can we do?

Have tried several times to get neighbor to meet and agree on boundary. We cannot proceed with our home.

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Dec 20, 2022

You will probably have to sue the other adjoining landowner for a Boundary Line Dispute. It will be difficult and expensive. It does sound like you have an expert witness, and I hope he can persuade the Judge. Quiet Title, Ejectment and Trespass may be additional causes of actions. Hire a NC... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for North Carolina on
Q: What are the financial obligations of the remainderman in a life estate in North Carolina?

According to a recent will, I am a remainderman and my brother is a life tenant for a home in North Carolina. Am I responsible for paying the mortgage principal, homeowners insurance and for major repairs? What does my brother pay for? Do I have to reimburse my brother for improvements to the... View More

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Nov 7, 2022

Consult with a competent NC attorney. Remaindermen do not have to pay on the Note, Taxes or Insurance. But if not paid, the real property will be taken away from all grantees/devisees. Your Estate has not vested in possession yet, and you are not personally responsible for anything.

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for North Carolina on
Q: Hi...Im in NC. I have P.O.A over some land and I want to know how I transfer to my name and can it be sold?
Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Oct 18, 2022

An attorney in fact transferring his principal's land to himself is presumptively fraudulent. If the principal wants to sell it, then the attorney in fact should have the power to convey it. Usually an original POA should be recorded first in the County prior to the transfer.

1 Answer | Asked in Tax Law, Real Estate Law and Elder Law for North Carolina on
Q: Iredell County has denied my senior citizen property tax exemption based on my over limit income.

Both my Federal and NC state tax is zero AGI. Can anyone help with ???

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 18, 2024

It's best to consult with a local tax attorney or the Iredell County Tax Assessor's office.

In North Carolina, the elderly or disabled property tax exemption (also known as the Homestead Exemption) is available to qualifying homeowners aged 65 or older, or those who are totally...
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1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for North Carolina on
Q: HOA responsibility or Owner?

Under the HOA Declaration/Covenants/Bylaws an HOA is responsible for maintenance, repair and replacement of roofing. An owner is responsible for the walls inside their unit (Sheetrock, Paint etc). It rains and the roof leaks and the leak damages the drywall. It needs to be replaced and... View More

Ben Corcoran
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Ben Corcoran
answered on Apr 17, 2024

I can't render a legal opinion on this without a full review of the bylaws and covenants, but your logic is sound.

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for North Carolina on
Q: How do I get a title to a mobile home when one of the sellers on the title is deceased?

The living seller had the title notarized that he had a copy of her death certificate. DMV said I needed to have her sign the title. She died in 2007.

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Apr 11, 2024

You will need proof that the deceased seller left their interest in the mobile home to the living seller. Such proof might come in the form of a right of survivorship, or a probated will, or a declaration of heirship, etc.

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce, Family Law and Real Estate Law for North Carolina on
Q: I want to sell my house and am married. I have tried serving divorce papers on my spouse several times and can't locate

The service took place several years ago and I cannot locate my spouse (somewhere in NY, I think)

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Apr 9, 2024

You may need to hire a NC attorney to file a Partition Action. The other owner's money might be held by the

Court until he claims it, and withdraws it by Order of the Court.

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for North Carolina on
Q: Mother and daughter own a parcel of land. The daughter passed away. Would her kids inherit the daughters 50% share?

Mother and her daughter had joint ownership of a parcel of land in Swain County,NC. The deed states Daughters name "AND" the Mothers name as owners. The Daughter as passed away but has children. Would the Daughters 50% portion of the land ownership automatically go to her living children... View More

Ben Corcoran
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Ben Corcoran
answered on Apr 1, 2024

Unless the deed specified the mother-daughter ownership as joint ownership with rights of survival, the daughter's children should own the daughter's 50% interest in the property.

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for North Carolina on
Q: I have a real estate deal for over a year. Can I sue for money plus loss of potential revenue from her.

We have contracts in place and she hasn’t done anything to the project for over a year. I’ve requested my money back but she keeps avoiding me telling me she’s busy and she’ll get to it later on. Am I able to sue her for my money back plus the potential loss of revenue and my time being... View More

Ben Corcoran
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Ben Corcoran
answered on Apr 1, 2024

I would have to review the contracts to advise you on your options, but I suspect that you have a case to force her to do something. Please get in touch with an attorney and have them review your contract.

Typically, you cannot get reimbursed for "sweat equity," but you should have other options.

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for North Carolina on
Q: Mother and daughter own a parcel of land. The daughter passed away. Would her kids inherit the daughters 50% share?

Mother and her daughter had joint ownership of a parcel of land in Swain County,NC. The deed states Daughters name "AND" the Mothers name as owners. The Daughter as passed away but has children. Would the Daughters 50% portion of the land ownership automatically go to her living children... View More

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Mar 30, 2024

You have not stated the exact granting and habendum clauses, and have not searched the title. But assuming only what you stated, the Daughter's issue take her issue as tenants in common with the Mother. Have a NC check the title to determine ownership and encumbrances.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Family Law and Real Estate Law for North Carolina on
Q: My husband wants to remove my name from the deed of our home for his Last Will purposes.

He asked me to meet with his Estate planner regarding the plans for his will. He mentioned on having the deed solely under his name so it wont be hard to divide his estate between me, his kids, grandkids and great grandkids. We've been married for 9 years and we are living in a $600,000k... View More

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Mar 19, 2024

Hire your own attorney for advice. The titles to all real properties need to be searched. More than likely you will not want convey away your estate in the house.

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Family Law, Real Estate Law and Appeals / Appellate Law for North Carolina on
Q: The judge has made his ruling. Husband has no claims to wife's house. During appeal, can husband file a Lis Pendens?

Ex husband and wife completed a bench trial for a Breach of Contract Suit. The contract was an executed notarized separation and property settlement agreement. In the agreement, wife received the house (was quitclaim deeded to wife and notarized). In exchange, the husband received all the... View More

Ben Corcoran
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Ben Corcoran
answered on Feb 12, 2024

I don't see a reason why not; a sale would likely be held up regardless if the closing attorney is doing their job properly. But a list pendens seems proper here.

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for North Carolina on
Q: House for mother prior to her dad I had lots of survivorship does a lifetime trust deed still apply after her death or d

The last time the trust was to my sister but I had so I had rights to survivorship when she passed does her lifetime trust still stand

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Jan 26, 2024

Your question makes no sense.. You will need to either resubmit it or consult with a NC attorney. A title search will be in order.

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for North Carolina on
Q: Final plat shows tennis courts.Foreclosure, then quitclaim transfer of Declarant rights.Is new Declarant liable to build

North Carolina Planned Community. Final plat is recorded with tennis courts (currently not built). There was a quitclaim transfer and assignment of Declarant rights (to several limited liability companies, around 7). Are new Declarants responsible/liable to build amenities recorded on initial... View More

Ben Corcoran
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Ben Corcoran
answered on Jan 10, 2024

Based solely on the plat, it is unlikely, but there may be other contracts that the business signed that would require it.

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for North Carolina on
Q: If your father does and you have a brother whom my father evicted over 2 years before he died off the land is he still e

Entitled to any of the land

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Dec 26, 2023

The Father's heirs will still take unless there is a probated Will. Father's heirs will include all issue as tenants in common.

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for North Carolina on
Q: If your diecist sister had property in her name from her parents is her widow and children entitled to the land to sale

The widow or kids name are not mentioned in the deed by name. The widow has been living in the house on the property since sister passed. The deed doesn’t say a life estate was left to widow. There was no will either.

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Dec 26, 2023

Obviously the deceased Sister's heirs at law will take as tenants in common.. Hire a competent NC attorney to determine heirship and possibly file an Affidavit of Heirship.

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Municipal Law for North Carolina on
Q: If I'm buying property from the city, what can I require from them?

City is selling property, I'm buying. What are the limits on what I can ask for?

Ben Corcoran
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Ben Corcoran
answered on Dec 22, 2023

You can ask for anything but will all but certainly get nothing.

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for North Carolina on
Q: Can I get my name off a mortgage without refinancing?

My wife and I divorced 8 years ago and my name is still on the house mortgage that her and her husband of 5 years lives in. I gave her the house and have not lived there for 10 years.

Ben Corcoran
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Ben Corcoran
answered on Oct 30, 2023

Your divorce proceedings should have included an agreement for her to refinance the property, but they may not have. If they didn't you can request the bank remove you but they will likely refuse to do so.

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