One thing about real estate purchases that’s more common than people think is issues with the title. Some of the issues brought up are simple fixes, while others require the intervention of a New York lawyer to help straighten out. Whether it’s a clerical error or something more serious, every title problem needs to be corrected as soon as possible to prevent future problems from happening. Here are some of the most common title issues you may want to consider hiring a lawyer in NYC for.
Missing Heirs
When the owner of a home dies, the ownership most likely will fall in the hands of their heirs. If the owner’s will does not specifically state who their heirs are, then it takes the experience of a NYC law firm to sort out the actual ownership. The problem with this is the property can still be sold with all of these issues going on. Your actual rights to the property could be impacted depending on the outcome.
Forgery or False Impersonation
People forge documents every day, and it’s unfortunate when public records impacting rightful ownership of a property are forged. It’s usually only a matter of time before the actions of forgery come to light, and your rights to the property can be affected as a result. Situations of false impersonation can also occur. If you purchase a property from a false owner, you may not be able to legally claim the property.
Unknown Liens
Having a lawyer in NYC investigate a property for any liens can save you. Some properties may have unpaid debts by the previous owner, resulting in the property having a lien placed on it. Unfortunately, sometimes these unknown liens come to light after the transaction has been completed.
Clerical Errors
Human errors happen, and some of them can be devastating in a real estate title issue. Whether it’s an issue with a survey, a typo in a legal document or anything else, the experience of a New York lawyer may be needed to sort out the issues. Clerical errors in real estate titles are more common than you think, so don’t take anything for granted.
Gordon & Gordon has seen every issue in the book regarding real estate titles. Many times these issues aren’t a big deal, but other times our experience has helped protect a property owner in many different ways. We’ve earned our reputation of being a prestigious NYC law firm, and we strive every day to uphold our reputation by providing the best services to our clients. If you’re in the middle of a real estate transaction, feel free to give us a call to discuss the situation and ensure the transaction goes smoothly.