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
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
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.
My tenant is renting via the Housing Choice Voucher Program. Lease started March 1, 2021. He pays rent on time, keeps unit clean and I haven't had any problems. The neighbors have complained about his noise levels and says he has become a nuisance, aggressive and harrassing. Board called a... View More

answered on Dec 6, 2021
I am a DC landlord/tenant lawyer. As long as the tenant is not violating his lease, you cannot evict him. The evidence you discuss is not sufficient to warrant eviction. As to whether or not they can fine you, that depends on what is in any agreement you have with the Board. You will likely have... View More
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

answered on May 3, 2019
You need to speak with a lawyer to fill in the family tree and discuss any Will or trust that might exist. Just for the first questions:
Is there a Will, and is your or you late husbands name in it?
Did "the decedent" -- the first person to die -- we'll call him or... View More
He was approximately 80 at the time. Diminished vision. Emotionally compromised. Victim of phone and mail fraud.

answered on Feb 19, 2019
You should have a consult with a lawyer before he dies. The facts matter, and they should not be discussed in an open forum.
I am the procuring agent in this transaction as I brought the buyer to the table... the property hadn't sold in years after being listed with same agent.

answered on Dec 11, 2018
If you are both members of the National Association of Realtors, GCAAR (and/or MAR) and the MRIS, there is a mandatory arbitration system maintained by either GCAAR, MAR, or MRIS. That might be useful, or you might get a lawyer involved early on in the hopes that, by communications with the... View More
The other party was willed their portion of the house. The 2/3rd owner has lived in it for 50 years

answered on Dec 4, 2018
All owners have to agree to a sale unless a court orders sale in lieu of partition. That petition is, however, fairly straightforward in the hands of experienced counsel.
The letter: This is to supercede xxx Last Will an Testament. Because of health problems and aging, I, xxx, do hereby relinquish all rights, privileges and duties to and for the estate as stated in his Last Will and Testament to his children,
What is the legality of this document?

answered on Aug 6, 2018
What a perfect example of the old adage “Pay me now or pay me (much more) later.” A revision of the Will would have cost a few hundred. An estate plan that effectively cut spousal rights to the legal minimum would have cost a few thousand. I could argue either side of that one, and that... View More

answered on Feb 26, 2018
If taxes are due, yes. But, that will rarely be the case. See a qualified CPA or lawyer.
...

answered on Feb 13, 2018
Not enough facts to answer this question. What gives you the right to claim an interest in "the sale of the house and bank accounts"? Were you named in a will by the deceased owner of these assets as an heir or legatee? Is your name on the title to these assets? If so, you will need... View More
ALREADY FILED A COMPLAINT WITH DCRA AND UNSUCCESSFULLY WAS NOT ABLE TO OBTAIN MY MONEY BACK EVEN TRIED MPD WITH NO SUCCESS. I WAS ADVISED BY MY INVESTIGATOR FROM DCRA TO PURSUE LEGAL ACTION AND GET BACK TO HER SO THEY COULD POSSIBLY TAKE HIS LICENSE. I NEED A LAWYER BECAUSE HE HAS DONE NOTHING TO... View More

answered on Feb 8, 2018
Unfortunately, unlike Maryland's MHIC, the DCRA does not have a proactive investigatory and civil enforcement arm to it, and there is no insurance fund for consumers to claim against in the event a licensed contractor fails to perform a home improvement. Homeowners in DC are left to sue on... View More
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