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I live in a house in Washington, DC, which is in my wife's name because she owned it prior to our marriage. We both agree on adding my name to the deed. There are no existing liens on the property. We are concerned about possible future circumstances in which my wife could become incapacitated... View More 
answered on Mar 19, 2025
It’s a simple process of your wife executing a deed from herself to you and her as tenants by the entirety. Any real estate lawyer can draft the deed and record it for you. However, deeding the property alone will not address how either one of you may manage the property (sell or borrow against... View More
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answered on Jan 22, 2024
A writ of distringas, also known as a writ of distress, is a legal order used to seize a debtor's property to satisfy a debt. In Washington, D.C., the process to file a petition for such a writ involves presenting your case to the court, demonstrating the existence of a valid debt and the need... View More
I need to add my name to the deed of our house, which is currently only in my wife's name, due to her current health situation. There are no liens or mortgages, and we have no disagreements about this decision. We do not have a will or estate plan, and we have not consulted a real estate... View More
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answered on Apr 12, 2025
To add your name to the deed of the house, you and your wife will need to execute a new deed that transfers part of her ownership to you. This can be done using a "quitclaim deed" or "deed of gift," which allows her to transfer ownership to you without a sale. The deed should be... View More
I am an elderly, disabled, widow landlord dealing with a situation where my basement renter demanded early lease termination without penalty and the return of her security deposit without valid cause, using false accusations as blackmail. Despite a signed lease agreement and no prior issues... View More
answered on Mar 27, 2025
It sounds like you are asking this after it is already all over. It sounds like you represented yourself and did a very poor job. If you aren't a lawyer, the chances that you preserved your objections so that you can appeal are miniscule. I'd say fire your lawyer and get a new one … next time.
I am an active-duty military veteran and I own a home in Washington, D.C. and it is the only home I own. I received an audit letter from the city recently saying that in order to claim the Homestead Deduction, I would have to domicile in D.C. My current state of legal residence is Texas and I do... View More
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answered on Oct 7, 2024
In Washington, D.C., the Homestead Deduction requires that the property be your primary residence and that you are domiciled in D.C. Since your legal residence is currently Texas, claiming the Homestead Deduction in D.C. without changing your domicile to D.C. is not allowed. The audit letter you... View More
Preen loan services has bee charged with providing inadequate charges to customers
answered on Sep 24, 2024
I'm sorry. I don't understand your question, assuming there is a question here. Mortgage loans are almost always amortized since that's what happens to an interest-bearing loan. If Preen is charged with something by someone and you are somehow affected, maybe you should talk to that... View More
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answered on Jun 18, 2024
If the assignment of a contractual right is transferred to the assignee, then it is fully executed. Subsequent events do not rescind the transfer.
answered on Jun 11, 2024
I’ve written this same answer several times on Quora, and I don’t have enough time to rewrite it, so, I’m offering a re-publication from September 2, 2018:
“Lawyers are supposed to aid in the administration of justice, so here are a few ideas:
1. Ask a lawyer you know and... View More
they're afraid that I would not sell the house so they said I have to reduce it by 10k every month until I get an offer or we go back to court. I'm wondering if there is a law or some kinda of stipulation that I won't be so caged in this tight constraint but still give them the... View More
answered on Oct 16, 2023
What the other party demands has no force if a court does not order accordingly.
Assuming, though you have not said so, that you are in a Ch. 13 bankruptcy, the more common provision is to provide, in a Plan, a one-year (or shorter) "drop dead date", by which the property will be... View More
can i hold them to the contract for the original amount approved theyre asking to be released
answered on Sep 14, 2023
The answer depends on what the contract says. You need to get a lawyer to review it, particularly if you don't trust your realtor or don't have one.
husband does, will he inherit my 1/2 of my parents house?
answered on Sep 3, 2023
It is impossible to give a competent answer without a better description of how you hold title. If you want a real answer, get a "current title" search and then amend your question to include the current title owner line. If I had that, I could at least hope to give you a vague, ambiguous... View More
The house is old and I need fix many things,how to be sure that I will be only the one owner ?if she give me a title it mean I’m the one owner of house ?.and what if she decide to add my name there only then I still will be the owner ?or only her ?I want to be sure if I get title on house it mean... View More
answered on Mar 9, 2023
A real estate lawyer can create a sale of the property from her to you leaving in her the right to remain in the property for the rest of her life, assuming that’s what she wants. There are many ways to do this from irrevocable trusts to wills, depending on the objectives and the loan, and other... View More
I am planning to buy a condo in dc for renting for secondary income. Can you help to get this done properly and legally. What are your fees? Thanks
answered on Jan 19, 2023
Under Justin’s terms of service as well as the ethical rules of our profession, this site isn’t a “hiring hall” as in the union trades. We aren’t permitted to respond to calls for employment. Here are some ideas for finding a lawyer:
I’ve written this same answer several times... View More
If I am using someone else's money and a house that I flip sells for less then previously estimated am I out anything more then my time? Or can the private money lender sue me and make me cover the loss?
What if I am using an LLC?
I am mostly worried that the private lender... View More
answered on Mar 19, 2022
If you find a private lender who would not require your personal guarantee and, often, security of your home co-signed by your spouse, you should hold that lender very close… or share his name with me. You will be completely liable on your project unless the lender is an idiot, and most hard... View More
answered on Feb 2, 2022
In DC, you file a lis pendens. The law changed a number of years ago, and the lawsuit, itself, is not a lien. It is a great idea ti have counsel assist in this.
I bought a house in April of this year. The owner’s disclosure paperwork did not include that there were some cracks on the living room floor or one of the walls. The home inspector did not see them because there was a rug and furniture covering the cracks and a big vase with flowers arrangements... View More
answered on Nov 9, 2021
You may have both a latent defect and a misrepresentation cause of action if the defect was latent and the seller knew and lied in the disclosure. The case may involve attorneys fees and treble damages.
answered on Sep 6, 2021
Query: My mother passed and she left a Will. My sister and I are beneficiaries. Do we need to file large estate probate to sell?
Yes. In the District of Columbia, title passes on death to the estate, so the easiest way to confer title is by opening a. ADM private estate. There is a cute... View More
My tenants are now considered holdover tenants and I want possession of property because I don’t want to rent any more and there are certain time lines for evictions in DC.
My understanding is 30 days wait/ 30 days notice to quit then eviction.
answered on Jul 27, 2021
Your understanding is incorrect. You are not at the same kind of risk if you give proper 30-day notice and then file suit. That will merely be dismissed. But, if you attempt self-help, you are at grave risk. Buy a consult with a lawyer. For starters, it's a 90-day notice. Next, if the property... View More
I have asked for a plumber - they are using a jack of all trades. I have asked to move into another empty unit, with the move fee waived - denied. I have asked for alternative accommodations until the repair and clean up is completed - denied. I have asked for a break in the rent, since the... View More
answered on Jul 27, 2020
In DC, you're able to withhold rent for housing code violations and wastewater coming into your unit seems to qualify. The landlord may take you to court and you'd have to explain the housing code violation, but this is a viable remedy for you.
answered on Aug 5, 2019
The survivor of the two joint tenants becomes sole owner of the property as a matter of law. The survivor can, but need not, file a new deed to show the property is solely theirs. They will need the death certificate and a new deed drafted. Alternatively, they may only need to record the death... View More
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