All Forum Posts by: Chris Krivanek

@Brandon Battle @Craig Kleffman

Thanks, guys. First and foremost, I realize that real legal help is needed thru a lawyer and title company if anything is going to actually get resolved. Like was alluded to, money is certainly an issue, and were are definitely not talking about a whole lot, so no, it may not be worth it. This is a home that likely has an ARV of somewhere around $140K, and I don't know it's present state, but I'm guessing a little over $100k is all it is. Then add in the fact that they still owe almost $50K on it, you're likely only talking $60k at best in equity. Then add in the fact that their now behind 3 months on the mortgage because her deceased dad was the only one paying.

      We likely will walk away, but I think my girlfriend partially wants to do something simply to stop her crazy aunt from pulling the crap she's been doing.  Let me just try and pose a few more questions. 

To make this easier, the dad was Robert, the mom (girlfriend's grandma) is Susie, and sister(crack head) is Barbara.  Not legalese I know, clearly I got caught up with the wrong family, lol

1.  I've seen all of the deeds on the county website concerning this address, so If Robert and Susie were clearly the only names on the deed in 2001, how could Barbara even register a separate deed with Susie in 2014 without Robert names anywhere to be found?  Could the county have improperly issues it?

2.  My guess is Barbara will try and sell the house soon (needs crack), so is that even possible given the cloudiness with the title?

3. Say they the kids don't even mess with probate, and the house is foreclosed on, what happens to whatever proceeds there would be from their equity?

It just kind of sucks for my girlfriend, as her dad wasn't exactly around most her childhood, and didn't do a whole lot financially ever for her,  but they did connect some here the last couple years. 

It would be nice for her to end up with something other than the few thousand she got from his bank account, but it clearly looks like there's not enough here to even bother. 

@Rick H.

Your response is ironic, given your last few sentences are hardly comprehendible.  I realize I'm just a lowly remodeling contractor, but after looking I what I wrote this morning, it seemed like I reasonably spelled out what my issues were, but thanks anyway.

     Ok, so my girlfriend's dad just passed in Kansas City.  He owned a home jointly with his 86 year old mother (or so we thought).  First of all, he had no will.  Overall he didn't have much anyway, so not too big of a deal, but this house, and his sister in particular have turned out to be possibly more trouble than it's worth to see if my girlfriend and her brother will inherit his share or not

        Her dad was currently in a lawsuit with his own sister, and I'm quite sure the house was part of it, so he was dealing with a lawyer at his time of death, but she hasn't been able to get time scheduled with him yet to talk about things.  The lawyer did text her that he thought that the kids getting ownership of the house was favorable given what he knew of the lawsuit, but that was all he said.    There's so much drama I could add about the sister, as she's likely a drug addict, and has completely drained the 86 year old lady's bank account, and many more stories that would make your head spin, but I don't have the time.   

     I have researched what I can about the property and the deeds, so that's where my initial questions stem from, because it really make no sense to me.  According to Jackson County records in Missouri, he initially took deed of the property from some other people, then the same day he recorded a quit claim deed that named both him and his mother as joint owners.  That deed does say that it's a joint tenancy, so the way I understand it, since his mother is still alive, the title would fully go to her, and my girlfriend and her brother would have no claim to the house?

BUT....

I was on another section of the county's site, and it showed my girlfriends now deceased dad, his mom, and the sister as well as all being equal owners of the property.    My girlfriend thought that was weird, as she was told by her dad before that is was just him and the mom on the title.  I then look up the sister's name on the county site, and sure enough, two deeds come up with her and the mom, separated by a month.  Thought that was strange.  First deed was a quit clam that granted it in to both of their names, so a share between the mom and sister.  The paperwork shows nothing with my girlfriends dad's name.    I don't know much about how this stuff works, but if her dad is on the title, how can it be altered without him signing off?    I then look at the next quit claim deed filed a month later, and it shows that the mother has released all her rights to the sister.  This was notarized any everything.  Again, is this proper to do without one owners consent?   Doesn't make sense to me.   That would seem weird if legal, because how could you basically form a partnership with someone without knowing?  

Perhaps that's why the lawyer told my girlfriend that the kids getting to inherit a share of the property looked possible, as the actions the sister took made the original joint of tenancy deed between my girlfriends dad and his mom void.  Also, what I don't understand is, if the mom released her rights in the last deed, why is her name still currently coming up as part owner of the property?  

Hopefully, someone here has a better understading of what I'm dealing with here.  I'm quite sure many know much more than I.  One thing I do know for sure, is the sister is a real piece of work, and if she some how weasels her way into full ownership of this property, it's a real crime... and actually it probably really is, lol.  My girlfriend says she wouldn't be surprised if the old lady turns up dead sometime soon.   Just a horrible situation. 

Thanks in advance for any help. 

Ya, you might of went a little too far, but I for one appreciate someone who's done a nice flip, and not this go as cheap as possible on everything that I constantly see everywhere.  Of course, all the while acting as if they really did do it great.  I'm with @Rick Pozos, I'd look at dropping it a little, and take the W.  It'll look great as a past project to show off in the future.  

Well sir, I say....

Hi Latosha, nice to have you.  Sounds like you want to do some good things. 

Looks nice man. 

Now for my nit picky side... The black tile in the shower looks cool, but I would never want that in my own house, as water spots would always suck.  Another thing that looks great when you put it down, but turns crappy and faded pretty quick, is the red mulch.  As a remodeler, I have to think more long term for my clients. 

I'd like to see what others have to say, and I don't know about Homepath and Homestep, but with HUD the first round of bidding goes to owner occupants, so I would assume for that reason alone they can't put a cash buyer ahead of you.

Sounds good to me Scott, but I'm a rook like you trying to find a similar deal.  I am a remodeler though, and your $30,000 sounds like it should be solid.  I assume were not talking about any of your finishes being too outlandish, so you should be able to do both your kitchen and bath for no more than $20k if you get the right deals on materials.   

Hey Armando, welcome to Tampa.  Hope your transition goes smoothly.  I'll shoot you a colleague request.