how to hire an attorney for property disputes

by Conor Moore 10 min read

At this point, you should consider hiring an attorney to assist you. He or she can help you understand if you have legal grounds upon which to stand. If you do, then you can send a demand letter. This letter will be from your attorney to your neighbor and will outline the property dispute.

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Do I need a lawyer for a property dispute?

Jun 11, 2021 · Rather than hiring the first lawyer you find on Google, you should find a few different property dispute attorneys who appear to have the expertise you need. You can start your lawyer search by asking friends and family members for recommendations, getting a referral from a trusted business associate or another lawyer you trust, or searching in an online service …

How to settle property line disputes with your neighbor?

Mar 28, 2021 · Hire an attorney. The first thing to proceed legally is to hire an attorney. Although you have understood the dispute and know that your neighbor is at fault, it is essential to get a litigation attorney. They will help you know all the property-related laws. Further, they will also help you with the procedure you need to follow and how strong or weak your case is.

How can a local real estate attorney help you?

Aug 26, 2021 · A property dispute lawyer helps you there with their insights and expertise in dealing with similar cases. When You Want To Finish the Dispute. If you want to finish the dispute before coming to a middle ground, you should keep a property dispute lawyer by your side. Though endless arguments are expected in a dispute, to avoid them, you need some …

Who is involved in a property dispute?

A healthy attorney-client relationship is paramount when you're involved in a legal dispute—and most clients who participate actively in resolving their legal problems are more satisfied with the results. Here you'll find information that will help you hire and work with an attorney. When Do You Need a Lawyer?

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How do you handle a property dispute?

Settlement: You can choose to resolve your property dispute through settlement if family members are involved in the property dispute. The settlement involves all the stakeholders sitting across the table and mutually deciding how the assets/property would be divided.

What is an example of a property dispute?

Property disputes come in many different forms. Examples include individuals litigating the ownership rights of a property (land title), the location of the ownership line that separates them from one (land boundary), one's right to use the land of another (easements), or even riparian (water) or littoral boundaries.

How do I choose a property lawyer?

How to find a property lawyer or conveyancerGet recommendations from friends, family or work colleagues.Search for a lawyer on the New Zealand Law Society website.Find a property lawyer at propertylawyers.org.nz.Search for a conveyancer on the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers website.

What does a property lawyer do?

Property Lawyers help clients deal with a wide range of property-related issues including buying, selling, subdividing, transferring titles, council and building restrictions, tax implications, approval processes, and restrictive covenants and easements.

Can a disputed property be sold?

Yes, any disputed property can be sold and purchased without any problem, unless there is a court case and the Hon'ble Court has passed a stay order/injunction order, prohibiting the creation of third-party interest or sale.Aug 12, 2021

Can you sell a property with a boundary dispute?

Indeed, the nature of the law can mean both sides may actually be right. However, a dispute still requires a resolution both for peace of mind and if either party intends to sell. You can save your buyers, your next home, and your whole transaction by using dispute resolution services.Feb 25, 2020

When should I engage a conveyancer?

You should engage a conveyancer to conduct a pre-purchase review of the contract as soon as you find the house you want to buy. Finding the right house can be an extensive and painstaking process.Dec 10, 2019

What is conveyancing meaning?

We define conveyancing as the legal transfer of property from one owner to another. The key stages are exchange of contracts when everyone knows the transaction will proceed and completion when everyone moves. There is a lot of legal and administrative work to do before we can exchange contracts and complete.Jan 20, 2020

What is a practicing solicitor?

A practising solicitor is an individual who is a member of the Law Society and often regulated by the Solicitor's Regulation Authority. Due to the training and rigourous requirements to qualify, solicitors are often regarded as legal experts and can offer specialist legal advice.

What should I ask a conveyancer?

Important Questions To Ask Your ConveyancerWhat are your qualifications and how long have you been a property conveyancer? ... How much do your conveyancing services cost? ... Are there any additional costs involved with conveyancing? ... Do you have insurance protection? ... Is it in the contract?More items...•Jul 27, 2017

What does a real estate attorney do for a buyer?

What Does A Real Estate Attorney Do? Real estate attorneys know how to, and are legally authorized to, prepare and review documents and contracts related to the sale and purchase of a home. In some cases, a real estate attorney is also the person who'll be in charge of your closing.Jan 6, 2022

What should a conveyancer do?

One of the most important and essential responsibilities of a conveyancer is the preparation of all the documents needed in your real estate transaction. Your conveyancer will manage the transfer documents to ensure the property is rightfully and legally transferred to or from your name.

What to do if you think you are in a property dispute?

If you think you may be in a property dispute, you should be prepared for a lot of research, paperwork, and some time with a lawyer. Fortunately, you can often avoid a costly battle in court. Read on to learn what to do about your situation and what you can expect to happen in the coming weeks and months.

How to settle a property dispute?

There’s no single way to settle a property dispute. Sometimes, the parties in a dispute can negotiate to come to an agreement without a battle in court. In other cases, you may need to fire a complaint. If you wish to avoid litigation, consider mediation.

Why do neighbors dispute property boundaries?

Boundary disputes can arise between neighbors when they disagree on where the property line lies. These disputes are more likely to occur if the property boundaries were never clearly registered or a practical property line supersedes the legal line.

How to argue a case?

Gather Information For Your Case. To effectively argue your case, you will need to gather the facts about the property in question. That means finding any relevant documents and potentially taking photographs of property damage. To find the right documents, you may need to complete a full title search on your property.

Why do you need title insurance?

However, purchasing title insurance when you buy a piece of property can help you ensure your title is free and clear and reduce the risk of a costly title dispute. In some cases, title insurance companies can help defend you in a boundary dispute.

What happens if someone doesn't live up to their contract?

When someone does not live up to their obligation in a contract related to a property, the other party can pursue damages for their losses. For example, if a tenant fails to follow the rules outlined on a lease or a homebuyer does not pay the agreed price to the seller, they may be found in breach of contract under the law.

Can a real estate dispute go to trial?

Most disputes can settle without a trial, but not all, so you would be wise to proceed with settlement in mind while also preparing for litigation.

What happens when you dispute a property?

When you have a property dispute, it can create tension, which may lead to other issues. It is important that if you end up in this situation that you find a way to resolve the matter in a legal manner. Find out what you can do if you have a property dispute. Discover the legal remedies and actions that can help you clear up a misunderstanding ...

What is property dispute?

Property disputes are legal disputes that involve real estate, including single-family homes, apartments, roads, condominiums and ponds. Property disputes can involve a wide range of parties, which might include some of the following: Neighbors. Homeowners’ association.

What are the issues with zoning?

Disputes between mortgage lenders and creditors over who can foreclose a property and who receives the proceeds of a sale. Disputes between homeowners and government agencies about whether they have a utility easement. Ownership disputes about who is the rightful owner of a property. Issues with zoning.

What is a title search?

Do a title search to find all of the documents that are in the chain of title of your property. The title search will show if there are any deeds that may affect your ownership of the property. It’s likely that these things will have been done when you purchased the home.

What happens if you can't settle a case?

If you can’t reach a settlement, then the court will make a final decision based on the evidence you both submit. The court’s decision is legally binding. You may not agree with it or it may not be exactly what you were hoping for. That is why it is always in your best interest to reach a settlement.

Should you settle a dispute out of court?

But if your negotiations are going nowhere, it might be necessary to file the dispute with the court.

Why do co-owners have disputes?

Disputes often arise between co-owners when they cannot agree on how to manage their property or when one co-owner pays more of the expenses than the other. To avoid a future legal battle, it’s a good idea to create a contract that spells out how to resolve future disputes, as well as each party’s rights and obligations.

What is a dispute between neighbors?

Disputes often arise between neighbors when there is a disagreement about where the property line lies. Often, the property boundaries were never clearly registered, or a practical property line supersedes the legal line.

What happens when you sell a house?

Whenever real estate is purchased, sold, or leased, there is a contract involved. Landlords agree to provide repairs and allow the tenant to use the property; tenants agree to pay their rent on time and follow the rules outlined in the lease; homebuyers agree to pay a specific price to the seller in exchange for rights to the property. If someone does not live up to their obligation, they may be found in breach of contract, and the other party can pursue damages for their losses.

What is real estate fraud?

Fraud can happen in any industry, including real estate. When a party to a negotiation falsely represents their property and causes another party injury, such as by withholding information about the state of the property, this is considered real estate fraud.

What is specific performance in real estate?

Specific performance property disputes can arise when a party to a real estate contract does not perform a material action outlined in the agreement. Unlike other types of breach of contract disputes, specific performance forces the party in breach to do what they promised rather than merely attempting to resolve the issue with money. Courts usually grant specific performance when the subject of the contract is unique or when the true amount of damage is unclear.

What to do if you have no will and no inheritance?

Ideally, the property will have been transferred with proof of inheritance such as a will, probate, letter of administration, or succession certificate. In situations where there is no will, you should make sure the property was distributed according to succession laws.

Understand and analyze the dispute

Property disputes can be of many types. Sometimes your neighbor might have increased the extent of their land, the description of the deeds might be wrong, or deeds conveying property to different people. Regardless of the type of case, it is essential to understand the dispute first.

Talk to your neighbors

Once done with the analysis, it’s time to approach your neighbor. Expenses of the court and hiring a litigation attorney can cost you a fortune. At times, it may cost you even more than the land’s worth. Talking to your neighbor can help you come to a mutual resolution.

Hire an attorney

The first thing to proceed legally is to hire an attorney. Although you have understood the dispute and know that your neighbor is at fault, it is essential to get a litigation attorney. They will help you know all the property -related laws. Further, they will also help you with the procedure you need to follow and how strong or weak your case is.

Send a demand letter

After hiring an attorney, the first thing he will do is send a demand letter to your neighbor. The demand letter will describe the dispute and the possible resolutions. Negotiations or dividing the property at argument can be the possible resolutions available. Here, your neighbor will get another chance to solve the matter outside the court.

File a complaint

If nothing works out and both you and your neighbor consider yourself right, file a complaint. Your attorney will help you file the complaint and send out the information about the same issue to your neighbor. Also, get ready with all the required paperwork during this time. Papers of the surveys that you might have done can come in handy here.

Begin with the court proceedings

After filing a complaint, the court will give you a date to begin the proceedings. Just because you are in the court does not mean that you will have to take on a battle. Even after the court proceedings start, there are chances of a settlement. The court itself might suggest you doing a settlement outside the court.

What is the second option to sue for a land dispute?

Your second option is to sue for a declaratory judgment. This is a way to put your dispute in front of a judge, who will make a legal determination as to whether or not you own the subject land.

What is the best way to resolve boundary disputes?

There are different types of boundary disputes, and different approaches to solving them. Cooperation and diplomacy, however, are often the best solutions, no matter which side of the fence or property line you’re on. A lawsuit against a neighbor is seldom a good idea.

What happens when neighbors dispute a fence?

Neighbors rarely begin random arguments over boundaries. More often, boundary issues arise when a property owner makes improvements or changes —erects a new fence or wall, for example. A dispute against a neighbor might soon become ripe for a lawsuit if the neighbor: 1 constructs an improvement that clearly crosses a property line 2 fails to obtain building permits before starting work or installations 3 doesn't obtain approval from a required source such as a city or town planning commission or homeowners’ association 4 builds an improvement that violates a state law, local ordinance such as a zoning restriction, or the covenants, conditions and restrictions (CC&Rs) of a homeowners’ association. 5 constructs an improvement that violates a restrictive covenant (a clause in a deed limiting property use), or 6 interferes with an established property use, such as by blocking a path or driveway.

What to do when neighbors have different understandings of where the boundary line is?

When you realize that you and your neighbor have different understandings of where the boundary line is, you should be proactive. Schedule a real discussion, where each of you brings your various legal documents, largely from the home transfer and title insurance files — deeds, plat maps, and property surveys —to the table.

Can neighbors argue over boundaries?

Neighbors rarely begin random arguments over boundaries. More often, boundary issues arise when a property owner makes improvements or changes —erects a new fence or wall, for example. A dispute against a neighbor might soon become ripe for a lawsuit if the neighbor: constructs an improvement that clearly crosses a property line.

What is boundary dispute?

A boundary dispute might be a question of confusion or uncertainty. Perhaps neither you nor your neighbor has ever really looked at your respective deeds, and both had different assumptions about the extent of your property. A boundary dispute can also be for technical reasons; perhaps your neighbor's deed actually shows possession ...

Can you sue a neighbor for trespassing?

First, you can sue for continuing trespass or ejectment. In a continuing trespass or ejectment action, you are asking a judge (typically a state court judge) to find that your neighbor is trespassing on your land, and further ordering that the neighbor remove him- or herself and any possessions.

What is a healthy attorney-client relationship?

A healthy attorney-client relationship is paramount when you're involved in a legal dispute—and most clients who participate actively in resolving their legal problems are more satisfied with the results. Here you'll find information that will help you hire and work with an attorney.

What to do if you've been putting something off?

If you've been putting something off—say you've meant to set up a trust for your grandchildren, you need to clean up old debts through bankruptcy, or your legal problem is especially upsetting, like a nasty lawsuit —hiring an attorney to handle everything can be just what you need.

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Who Can Be Involved in A Property Dispute?

  • Property disputes can involve just about anyone who has an interest in the real estate in question. For example, most property disputes involve the owner of the property in some way, but they can also involve: 1. Neighbors; 2. Landlords and Tenants; 3. Homeowner Associations (HOAs); 4. Trespassers; 5. Family Members; 6. Builders and Developers; 7. Government Agencies; and/or
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What Are Some Common Types of Property Disputes?

  • As we said before, property disputes can range from the small to large, and can vary in their severity. Some common property disputes can include: 1. Boundary Disputes:Which can involve disagreements among neighbors regarding the location of a property line. 2. Landlord-Tenant Disputes:Which can sometimes involve a dispute over who is responsible for damage or repairs …
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What Is A “Cloud” on Title?

  • Generally speaking, a “cloud” on titlerefers to any irregularity or outstanding claim in the chain of title to the property. Usually this means that there is an unresolved claim, a lien, or some other encumbrance on the property that would prevent transfer of ownership from one party to another. Clouds on title are usually found during a title search on the property. For example, a legitimate …
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What Remedies Are Available For Property Disputes?

  • Remedies for property disputes often depend on the nature of the dispute and the state where the property is located. Potential remedies include injunctions, judicial sales, monetary damages, and quiet title actions. If you are seeking to stop your neighbor from doing something with their property (like burning trash or building a “spite fence”), you may seek an injunction from the cour…
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Do I Need An Attorney If I Have A Property Dispute?

  • It depends on the nature of the property dispute. Sometimes, a dispute can be resolved by just talking to your neighbor and maintaining a good relationship with them. Politeness and respect can go a long way in resolving minor disputes. If it gets to the point where you feel a demand letter is necessary, you can certainly discuss that option with an attorney. However, there are so…
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What Is A Property Dispute?

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Property disputes are legal disputes that involve real estate, including single-family homes, apartments, roads, condominiums and ponds. Property disputes can involve a wide range of parties, which might include some of the following: 1. Neighbors 2. Homeowners’ association 3. Landlords and tenants 4. Family mem
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Common Types of Property Disputes

  • Oftentimes, the result of a property dispute is the plaintiff will receive compensation to cover their property losses. It’s important to know about common disputes so you can better understand the situation that you’re in. The most common property disputes include: 1. Disputes between neighbors regarding where property lines exist 2. Disputes between landlords and tenantsregard…
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Legal Process For Boundary Disputes

  • Has someone brought a property dispute against you, or are you bringing a property dispute against someone else? If so, it’s important to understand the legal process you will go through. This starts with understanding the issue at hand.
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Work with An Experienced Local Property Dispute Lawyer

  • When it comes to property disputes, you should work with an experienced property dispute attorney. Whether you’re filing a property dispute against your neighbor or you are defending a dispute brought against you, you’ll need a lawyer that understands property law on your side. An experienced lawyer can help you reach a settlement before taking the dispute to court, which wil…
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What Is A Property Dispute?

  • The goal of engaging a property dispute lawyer is to address the issue, but determining the particular goal and how you want to resolve the disagreement is crucial. It will be useful in locating a professional with the necessary qualifications. Dispute resolution can be a lengthy process. Furthermore, employing a lawyer would necessitate payment of fees, so an individual …
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Common Types of Property Disputes

How to Avoid Property Disputes and Keep The Neighborhood Peace

What to Do If You’Re in A Property Dispute

Defining Boundaries and Property Lines

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A property dispute is a type of legal dispute that involves real estate. Property disputes often arise from disagreements over property lines, responsibility for repairs on construction, blocked views, rightful ownership, zoning issues, or who is at fault for property damage. A property dispute can involve any type of real estat…
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First Steps When A Dispute Emerges

  • Breach of contract property disputes
    Whenever real estate is purchased, sold, or leased, there is a contract involved. Landlords agree to provide repairs and allow the tenant to use the property; tenants agree to pay their rent on time and follow the rules outlined in the lease; homebuyers agree to pay a specific price to the seller i…
  • Real estate fraud property disputes
    Fraud can happen in any industry, including real estate. When a party to a negotiation falsely represents their property and causes another party injury, such as by withholding information about the state of the property, this is considered real estate fraud.
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Will Title Insurance Cover The Dispute?

  • When you’re in the processing of buying or developing a property, there are several actions you can take to avoid future disputes. Here are a few steps we recommend to conscientious property buyers and owners:
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How A Lawyer Can Help with Your Boundary Dispute

  • If you are in a complicated legal situation that relates to your property, there are several steps you can take. We suggest you begin by doing your best to understand the problem and talk with the other party; if you can’t easily resolve the issue, you may wish to hire an attorney. Property disputes over small, less expensive areas of land can often be resolved outside of court. Ideally, …
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Property Improvements A Common Source of Boundary Disputes

  • What are boundaries or property lines? Essentially, these are the lines on a county’s tax map that define and set apart different parcels of land. In condominium units, these sorts of “lines” are very simple, since you can easily spot the “beginning” and “end” of an apartment unit. But boundary lines can become more complicated in single-family residential, suburban, or rural settings. Whil…
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Anticipate Defenses Your Neighbor Might Raise

  • When you realize that you and your neighbor have different understandings of where the boundary line is, you should be proactive. The first step is to schedule a real discussion, where each of you brings your various legal documents, largely from the home transfer and title insurance files—deeds, plat maps, and property surveys—to the table. Sharing this sort of objective informa…
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Questions For Your Attorney

  • Unfortunately, the standard title insurance policy contains an exclusion specifically meant to make sure the company does NOT get dragged into boundary line disputes. (The language may refer, for example, to matters that "would be disclosed by an accurate survey and inspection of the premises.") Nonetheless, it's worth reviewing your policy and bringing the dispute to the attentio…
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