How do I use my property as collateral to help secure bond for an incarcerated relative? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, using real property as “collateral” for a criminal bond usually means either (1) signing as a surety on an appearance bond based on sufficient net equity, or (2) working through a…
How do I remove my ex-spouse from the deed and put the property in my name only? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, an ex-spouse usually comes off the deed only if that ex-spouse signs a new deed transferring their ownership interest to the other owner (often a quitclaim deed or warranty deed)…
Will getting an appraisal now help with selling, transferring, or dividing the property later? – North Carolina Short Answer Often, yes. In North Carolina, a current independent appraisal can create a clear, defensible starting point for fair market value when real property may be sold, transferred, or divided later, especially when multiple owners or a…
How can my family challenge a land sale to someone who bought the property? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, the way to challenge a land sale depends on what kind of sale it was (for example, a partition sale among co-owners, a foreclosure sale, or a court-ordered sale). Many challenges must be…
Do I need my sibling beneficiary’s consent or a written agreement before the trust reimburses me for the taxes I covered? – North Carolina Short Answer Not always. In North Carolina, reimbursement can be proper without a sibling beneficiary’s consent if the payment was a necessary trust expense and the trustee reimburses it as part…
How do I figure out whether an old deed transferred just a share of land or also the house sitting on it? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, a deed that transfers an ownership interest in land usually transfers the improvements on that land too (including a house), unless the deed clearly carves…
Can I sue the home inspector or appraisal professional for missing or misreporting major issues with the property? – North Carolina Short Answer Possibly. In North Carolina, a home inspector can face liability when the inspector fails to follow the inspection contract and the required standards of practice, or when the report contains negligent misstatements…
What can I do if someone is demanding rent or claiming I have to move out based on a forged deed? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, a person generally cannot lawfully collect rent from, or force someone out of, real property based only on a forged deed. If someone is making those…
How do I transfer cemetery lots to a buyer if they are really burial rights and not traditional real estate? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, what people call “cemetery lots” are often treated as burial rights governed by the cemetery’s rules and records, not the same as a typical piece of real…
What happens if my parent signed a deed years ago that accidentally gave the property to another relative, even if my parent meant it to go to the children? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, a properly signed and recorded deed usually controls ownership, even if the parent later said they meant something…
