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Georgia Real Estate Law Questions & Answers
2 Answers | Asked in Contracts, Real Estate Law and Tax Law for Georgia on
Q: Are brokers responsible for their clients' property taxes?

I am a real estate agent. I helped a foreigner sell his house. We had listing brokerage agreement. During this period, the seller did not pay the property tax. The county collected late fees from the seller. The seller said that I did not tell him about paying the property tax. I did not receive... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jun 27, 2024

Based on the information provided, it's unlikely that you as the real estate agent would be responsible for your client's property taxes or late fees. However, let me break down the key points and considerations:

1. Broker/Agent Responsibilities:

- Generally, real estate...
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1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Georgia on
Q: My girlfriend and her ex co-own a home. Since she is a co-owner of the house, would she be able to allow me to move in?
James Clifton
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James Clifton
answered on Jun 12, 2024

As a co-owner, your girlfriend has the ability to enter the property and invite guests. However, if you intend to live there with her to the exclusion of her ex, you will both be liable for rent to the ex. If the ex also lives there, you alone may be liable for rent to the ex.

If your...
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1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Georgia on
Q: I made an offer on a house thru the realtor who has shown us the house. He now wants us to sign a document stating that

he must be our realtor for any other sales in GA. We have put an offer on land last week before our offer on this house. Would he have a right to a commission on this land sale? He states it is GA law re the 120 days for him to represent us. We live in FL. Thanks!

James Clifton
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James Clifton
answered on May 23, 2024

You do not have an obligation to sign any agreement that extends the representation beyond the original agreement. There is no Georgia law regarding length of representation.

Schedule a free consultation to have someone review the paperwork the real estate agent has submitted to you for...
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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Land Use & Zoning and Real Estate Law for Georgia on
Q: My dad and mother share a life estate and are divorced, but they are leaving their life estate to their 3 children. The

Land is currently in one piece, not designated into 3 as to who gets which piece. My sister is wanting to build a house on her piece that she will get but my mom is refusing to designate who gets what piece because she says it will break the life estate. Will drawing up the tract and designating... View More

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Apr 17, 2024

If Mom and Dad only have life estates, then none of their issue will get anything at their deaths. Hire a GA attorney to search that title and determine ownership. If you stated the facts correctly, then nobody wants to build on the tract. Who is the remainderman?

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Landlord - Tenant for Georgia on
Q: What are my legal rights selling a home with people living in it and getting them out of the home.

I let a friend move into my late father's home with the verbal agreement they had 2 years to rebuild their credit to be able to purchase the home for $30k over what was left owed on the loan. The 2 years was up in Feb. They have done nothing to rebuild credit. I need to sell the home asap and... View More

James Clifton
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James Clifton
answered on Apr 10, 2024

You will need to provide them with notice of termination of the lease even if they are not paying rent. If they do not leave after the date set for termination, you will need to file an eviction. If you have to file for eviction, you can also make a claim for ejectment in the event that the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Banking for Georgia on
Q: I need help to obtain a mortgage loan modification.

I have attempted numerous times to get a loan modification, but my mortgage never approves it. They lie and repeatedly request the same information. I sent that to them, but they say that they never received anything from me. This has been ongoing for the past 4 months. I don't want to lose... View More

James Clifton
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James Clifton
answered on Mar 30, 2024

Filing for a loan modification or loss mitigation can be very frustrating and time consuming. The loan servicers make the process very difficult and often times give you very little time to correct any deficiencies in the submission. You have to be persistent, follow up daily, request an... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Land Use & Zoning, Real Estate Law and Probate for Georgia on
Q: Land was given to 2 siblings in a will. One sibling passed away and was married. Does the widow of the deceased person

Does the widow of the deceased person has rights to the land? No will was made for the deceased person to give the land to their spouse.

James Clifton
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James Clifton
answered on Mar 26, 2024

The exact answer depends on a few factors regarding the dates of death of the parent and child and the terms of the will. If the will listed the child died before the parent, the gift of the land will depend on whether the gift was listed as per stirpes, per capita, or otherwise. If the parent... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights and Real Estate Law for Georgia on
Q: What kind of attorney handles civil rights violations and discrimination by an HOA board?
James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 11, 2024

An attorney who specializes in civil rights law and housing discrimination would be best suited to handle cases involving civil rights violations and discrimination by a homeowners' association (HOA) board. More specifically, you should look for attorneys with experience in the following... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Tax Law for Georgia on
Q: Family home in life estate deed. If all agree to sell home before tenant dies, what tax implic tenant & remaindermen

Is tenant eligible for medicaid if home in 15 yr old life estate is sold Georgia

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 8, 2024

Selling a home held in a life estate deed before the life tenant passes away can indeed have tax implications for both the life tenant and the remaindermen. If all parties agree to sell the property, the proceeds from the sale are typically divided between the life tenant and the remaindermen based... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Georgia on
Q: Good morning, How would i go about suing someone that sold me a house that was already sold, and refuses to pay me back?
James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Feb 23, 2024

Good morning! If you find yourself in a situation where you've purchased a house that was already sold to someone else and the seller refuses to refund your money, taking legal action might be necessary. Initially, gathering all related documentation, such as the contract of sale,... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Foreclosure and Real Estate Law for Georgia on
Q: Wrongful foreclosure, disbursement question

What are the grounds to appeal a disbursement hearing, if any? Must a property be levied first before auctioned for judicial foreclosure from consent order.

James Clifton
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James Clifton
answered on Feb 20, 2024

The disbursement hearing would not be the place to challenge the foreclosure auction. You would have needed to file an injunction prior to the auction to challenge whether the auction was being conducted pursuant to applicable law. The order on the disbursement hearing is likely subject to an abuse... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Foreclosure and Real Estate Law for Georgia on
Q: Do all real properties in Georgia must be levied with notice before a judicial foreclosure?

If this was part of a consent order of a settlement. Like let’s say you are given 180 days to pay $90,000 or property has to be sold. Does it need to be levied first before auctioned?

James Clifton
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James Clifton
answered on Feb 20, 2024

No, if there is a consent judgment that grants the right to foreclose, the notice of foreclosure sale must be published according to the laws relating to sheriff's sales. The sheriff will then auction the property. If your property was foreclosed, you may have the ability to collect surplus... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Foreclosure and Real Estate Law for Georgia on
Q: If you give someone money to purchase property for you without contract, how can you prove your intent of ownership?

Bank transactions reflect transfer of funds on date of home purchase date

James Clifton
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James Clifton
answered on Feb 18, 2024

In order to prove that there was an intent to share in the ownership of the property or that the funds provided at closing were to be paid back, you would need to have texts or emails showing that there was an agreement between the parties. A less reliable method would be to provide witnesses who... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Georgia on
Q: We live on a “private rd” although the county has given it a name. At the end of the rd are a few homes. One of the home

Has renters and are operating a daycare. The traffic has gotten crazy. Problem is they are destroying the dirt road and no one will help with repairs, upkeep, etc. what are my options?

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Feb 16, 2024

I assume your road is actually a joint permanent use easement. If so, then a title search may disclose maintenance duties. If just an easement by implication or otherwise, then there are probably no defined restrictions. Then at best, you would need a GA attorney to sue for property damages, of... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Georgia on
Q: I am in lowndes county Georgia which is Valdosta I went to the clerk of the courts the Superior Court to file and record

An affidavit for an adverse possession on the property the people at the clerk's office the court clerk of lowndes county Georgia told me that I had to be an attorney or have an attorney with me present to file this affidavit and I believe that is wrong and it's my understanding that the... View More

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Feb 14, 2024

If you are claiming title by adverse possession, then you will need an attorney to make an effective claim. It is difficult and is usually a defense to an action for possession or title, not filing an affidavit. You may need a deed as a color of title recorded, not what you are trying to... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Georgia on
Q: bought a foreclosed property from bank. filed eviction against previous mortgagee who is accusing bank of wrong foreclos

I bought a property from xome.com as a second chance foreclosure and after the closing, filed an eviction case against previous mortgagee. She is fighting back saying that bank wrongfully foreclosed the property. Should I file a case against the previous mortgagee, bank or let my title insurance... View More

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Feb 4, 2024

You will need to litigate to a conclusion on obtaining possession. But you take title subject to rights of occupants. Read your owner's title policy. It will not cover many risks. But also hire an attorney to make a claim against the policy. You could lose all your investment as I... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Georgia on
Q: Can my brother in-law gift me a house that still has a mortgage?
James Clifton
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James Clifton
answered on Feb 1, 2024

Your brother would be able to sign the property over to you with a deed. However, it likely violates the due on sale clause in the mortgage that prevents the transfer, by gift or sale, of the property without first paying off the mortgage. The lender could then foreclose on the loan even if it was... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law, Civil Litigation and Civil Rights for Georgia on
Q: Are HOAs in GA bound by covenants only or state law as well?

Residents in our subdivision seek to contest the election of Board Members. Despite expressing this intention, the current board members assert their adherence solely to covenants rather than Georgia state law. Moreover, the Board has declined to disclose election results upon request, failed to... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jan 29, 2024

Homeowners' Associations (HOAs) in Georgia are indeed bound by both their own covenants and by state law. The covenants, conditions, and restrictions (CC&Rs) of an HOA provide specific guidelines for the community, but these must also align with state laws. If there's a conflict,... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Georgia on
Q: My father passed away with no will so land went to me and my 3 sisters is there anyway my sisters can take it from me
James Clifton
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James Clifton
answered on Jan 28, 2024

If your father died with no will and no wife, all of his estate should pass in equal shares to his children. While your sisters may not be able to take it from you, they can force the sale of the property, in which case none of the siblings will own it. Schedule a free consultation to make sure... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Probate for Georgia on
Q: Inherited land. I am executor. Clerk if court said I had to re write the deed and submit another form.

Naming me executor. To transfer property ownership. Clerk of court, how do I go about this? And can I do this in my own or do I have to have a lawyer?

Nina Whitehurst
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answered on Jan 11, 2024

In most states there is no law that obligates an executor to hire an attorney. Just like fixing a car, you are free to do it yourself if you know how. But if you don’t know how you will get better results in the long run if you hire an expert. And just like fixing a car it is also often cheaper... View More

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