Legal Question in Bankruptcy in California

Lean on house title

We filed for Chapter 7 several years ago and it was discharged. We recently applied for a home equity loan and was approved, but the title search shows a lean against our home from a company that was part of the Chapter 7.

The lean was filed two weeks after the bankruptcy was discharged.

Is there any way to clear the lean?


Asked on 3/30/09, 11:24 am

3 Answers from Attorneys

L.A. BK Atty Leon Bayer Bayer, Wishman & Leotta

Re: Lien on house title

You have a couple of ways to go with this.

You can make a demand on the creditor to vacate the lien because it was recorded in violation of the bankruptcy. I certainly think you should tell them they must remove it or risk being in contempt of the bankruptcy court. If they stall, hire a lawyer to make the demand. You may even have a right to sue them in the bankruptcy court if they refuse to rescind the lien.

Also, the title company that your home equity lender works with may be able to disregard the lien. By examining the bankruptcy records, they should be able to determine that the lien is void.

I hope this helps you to get the problem solved right away.

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Answered on 3/30/09, 12:39 pm
David Gibbs The Gibbs Law Firm, APC

Re: Lean on house title

I agree with attorney Bayer, however, just working with title companies as often as we do, I can tell you that it is very unlikely that they will remove the lien until they have a court order, or the creditor in question provides them with either a satisfaction or withdrawal. Get aggressive with them - what they did is absolutely a violation of the automatic stay, and if they refuse to withdraw it immediately, they are subject to sanctions from the Bankruptcy Court.

*Due to the limitations of the LawGuru Forums, The Gibbs Law Firm, APC's (the "Firm") participation in responding to questions posted herein does not constitute legal advice, nor legal representation of the person or entity posting a question. No Attorney/Client relationship is or shall be construed to be created hereby. The information provided is general and requires that the poster obtain specific legal advice from an attorney. The poster shall not rely upon the information provided herein as legal advice nor as the basis for making any decisions of legal consequence.

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Answered on 3/30/09, 12:45 pm
Chris Johnson Christopher B. Johnson, Attorney at Law

Re: Lien on house title

I'll agree with the previous answers--the creditor should remove it because they were in violation of federal bankruptcy law by filing it. And even if the title company ignores the lien, you'll want it removed anyway so that it's not an issue for you in the future when trying to refinance or sell the property.

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Answered on 3/30/09, 1:52 pm


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