Real estate law determines who owns the property, how long they can occupy it, and what they can do with it. It also covers issues such as leasing, zoning, and land use regulations.
Many property disputes are a result of simple misunderstandings. But others are more serious and can cause significant legal problems for both parties.
Deeds
A deed is a legal document that grants ownership to someone. There are various deed types, each with its specific requirements. Attorneys need to understand the law of deeds and how it applies to real estate transactions. They should also be aware of any nuances that may exist in state or local laws related to the transfer of property titles.
A title dispute can arise for a number of reasons. For example, a homeowner who transfers their property to another person may be unable to obtain a clear title due to liens or other encumbrances attached to the land. Heirs or creditors might challenge the transfer of the property. This is why a thorough property title search is essential before transferring a piece of property.
In addition, even if someone holds the deed to a piece of property, they may not be able to legally use it in the way that they want. For instance, a deed might grant ownership to a piece of property, but developing it for environmental or safety reasons may be impossible.
Title disputes can also be a result of a break in the chain of title. The chain of title is a list of the owners of a property, including their dates of ownership and any transfers to new owners. If there is a gap in the chain of title, it could mean that the current owner does not actually own the property.
Lastly, title disputes can arise because of issues like environmental contamination or indebtedness to the property. These liabilities can be transferred to the new owner or retained by the seller. The former owner may be liable for any costs associated with the clean-up or may retain debts that they had to pay on the property.
Real estate law covers a broad range of issues that can impact people on a daily basis. It’s a type of civil law that deals with the rights to own, possess, and enjoy land and any permanent man-made additions attached to it. Although some federal laws exist, most real estate law is controlled by state governments. Attorneys practicing this law area must be familiar with federal and state laws. They must also be aware of any nuances that may exist in state or local laws related to the transfer and sale of property.
Boundaries
When it comes to real estate law, there is a lot of emotion tied to property boundaries. People are heavily invested in their property from a personal and financial standpoint, so they don’t want others to encroach on what they believe is rightfully theirs. Unfortunately, disputes over property lines are not uncommon and can be difficult to resolve without legal action. When possible, it is best to contact an experienced Riverside real estate attorney specializing in resolving these issues. Oftentimes, the dispute can be resolved through calm discussion or mediation. However, if the problem is not resolved through collaborative efforts, the disputing parties may need to file a lawsuit.
The most common cause of property boundary disputes is a disagreement between two or more owners concerning the exact location of the property lines. It is possible that the parties involved misread the exact language in their deeds or simply have different expectations about where property lines should be located. The passage of time can also complicate the matter as natural borders such as roads, lakes, or ponds can become obscured over time.
A lawyer can help with property line disputes by examining the evidence that exists to determine the precise location of the property lines in question. This includes reviewing the property deeds of the parties, conducting a land survey, and performing a title search. The more information that can be gathered, the more likely it is that a resolution will be found before a legal case is filed.
While some cases will require a judge to decide the exact property boundaries, this is not always necessary. In many instances, a court could order the parties to agree regarding the boundary lines or simply determine where they should be based on other available evidence.
When a lawsuit is the last resort for property line disputes, it is important to get good legal advice. A lawyer can review the deeds, land surveys, title insurance paperwork, and any other relevant documentation and determine how a case should proceed.
Liens
A lien is a legal claim against a property that secures debts. Typically, a lender will place a lien on a piece of real estate when someone fails to pay their mortgage or another debt they owe. When this happens, it prevents the homeowner from selling the property or getting a mortgage for it until the lien is resolved. Creditors also use liens to collect judgments that they win in lawsuits against people.
A property tax lien, for example, is superior to almost all other liens except mortgage liens. If you fail to pay your property taxes, the government can put a tax lien on your home and seize it if you don’t pay up. Liens are a common way to claim the rights to properties when they go unpaid, but many people have trouble proving that a lien is invalid. That is where a real estate attorney can help.
In some cases, a lien can be removed by simply filing an affidavit or reversing a judgment. But other times, it can require contesting the lien in court or submitting to a lien sale. A real estate law lawyer can advise clients on the best approach to a lien dispute and how to resolve it quickly.
Real estate lawyers can also assist with other legal matters related to property. For example, some properties have encroachments on boundaries that need to be negotiated or the size of land registered in a title must match the property’s actual size. Additionally, heirs may disagree on the rightful owner of a property. In such cases, a real estate attorney can help resolve disputes through litigation or by negotiating with the heirs and other interested parties. They can also advise homeowners associations and help them create, challenge, and enforce restrictions on property ownership. They can even help with property tax appeals and other governmental levies on real estate. This type of work requires a strong background in constitutional law and extensive research. It is not something that many lawyers can do successfully without the assistance of an experienced team.
Warranty
Property laws determine who owns the land and what they can do with it. Without these laws, people could claim ownership of things they don’t own or didn’t buy through a legal transfer of ownership. Because real estate law touches on so many aspects of the lives of everyday people, all need to understand how it works.
One type of dispute that falls under the purview of property law is a warranty dispute. A warranty is a promise from the seller to the buyer that they have a clean title to the property and that no one else has rights to the property or any part of it. A warranty can help protect buyers from fraud and other issues that can arise after a property purchase is completed.
Another example of a property law-related dispute involves covenants. Covenants are agreements between landowners that affect what a landowner can and cannot do on their properties. These covenants can be beneficial, or they can be restrictive. Covenants can also change over time, so they must be reviewed regularly.
Homeowners associations and condominiums have their own set of rules that they enforce on the residents in those communities. These rules, referred to as homeowners or association regulations, are important for protecting the property values in those communities. However, disputes sometimes arise with neighbors or even the community itself over applying these rules. These disputes are typically settled through mediation or arbitration.
A good property attorney is skilled at identifying the root cause of any property dispute and navigating the appropriate legal channels to resolve it. They understand how to navigate the various aspects of real estate law and can handle both civil and criminal cases pertaining to property law, such as evictions, defamation, breach of contract, and zoning. The Titus Law Firm has a team of Houston property law attorneys who are well-versed in these complex legal issues. If you are dealing with a property-related issue, call us today to learn how we can help. We can discuss your case with you in a free, confidential consultation.