Articles Posted in Real Estate Law

What are the historical origins of joint-tenancies and tenancies-in-common? (Blackstone, Commentaries on the Laws of England)
Underwood Law Firm, P.C.

American law has its roots in the laws of England. As such, many of the laws still on the books in the 21st Century depend on what English judges thought prior to our War for Independence began in 1776. Because our modern laws go back centuries since before the United States was a country, we…

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What is a Claim for Waste in California? (Civ. Code § 818)
Underwood Law Firm, P.C.

A “waste” claim is a means of recovering damages when a tenant on real property does substantial damage to the property itself. Most often, a waste claim arises when a person renting property causes damage while living there. But a waste claim isn’t restricted to landlords and tenants. It applies to nearly all situations where…

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What is the difference between a grant deed and a gift deed? (Civ. Code § 1113)
Underwood Law Firm, P.C.

The deed to a property is the most important document a property owner has. It describes the title and its associated rights while operating as the conveyance of property itself. But not all deeds are the same. While grant deeds and gift deeds are incredibly similar, their differences can inevitably lead to legal disputes. The…

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Title Insurance and Title Guarantees: What’s the Difference? (Ins. Code § 12340.1)
Underwood Law Firm, P.C.

“Title” is the single most important word when it comes to purchasing a property. If there is a problem with it, then an entire real estate transaction can be disrupted or canceled outright. Many people consider the purchasing of a home to be the single most important transaction of their lives. Therefore, it only makes…

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What is an Elisor? (Corp. Code § 128(4))
Underwood Law Firm, P.C.

Just because a party prevails in a lawsuit does not mean the matter is over. Rarely discussed but crucially important is the fact that a judgment must be enforced once it is entered. This isn’t always easy. Losing parties don’t always want to cooperate, especially when they’re operating without an attorney. Sometimes, a party might…

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Do All Owners Need to Sign a Real Estate Listing Agreement? (Corp. Code § 1624(a)(4))
Underwood Law Firm, P.C.

A realtor should take the necessary legal steps to ensure that all real estate owners do so. When most people buy or sell property, they hire a real estate agent to assist with the process. While the concept of these agreements seems simple enough, these agreements can get complicated when the property in question is…

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Can an ousted cotenant recover possession of the property? (Civ. Code § 843)
Underwood Law Firm, P.C.

Yes. Co-owners of property are entitled to certain rights, namely, the right to possess and use the property as they see fit. But sometimes, things do not work out with the other owners. Heirs to an estate can bicker, business relationships can fall through, and family dynamics can fall apart. This may result in the…

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How do you sever a joint tenancy in California? (Code of Civil Procedure section 683.2)
Underwood Law Firm, P.C.

Joint tenancy is a special type of co-ownership recognized in California. It is commonly associated with married couples, ensuring that when one of them dies, their entire interest in the property passes to the other spouse. This is called the right of survivorship, and it is the defining trait of a joint tenancy. The right…

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What is the difference between a grant deed and a quitclaim deed? (Civil Code § 1113)
Underwood Law Firm, P.C.

The deed to a property is the most important document a property owner has. It describes the title and its associated rights while operating as the grant of the property itself. But not all deeds are created equal. While grant deeds and quitclaim deeds are the most common tools for transferring title, they carry different…

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A Guide to Tenants-in-Common in California (Civ. Code § 682)
Underwood Law Firm, P.C.

Co-owning property as tenants in common is the favored form of joint ownership in California. (Wilson v. S.L. Rey, Inc. (1993) 17 Cal.App.4th 234, 242 (S.L. Rey).) Yet, property held in tenancy in common brings with it a unique set of potential issues that are not present in the other forms of joint ownership recognized…

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