Legal Question in Real Estate Law in California

Nothing happens now. She is co-owner of the property (thanks to him adding her to title) and has the same rights as he does to the property. He either needs to get her to get off title or work some other agreement in writing with her.

Unless they can work out an agreement, your brother needs to retain an attorney to file a partition action on both houses and put an end to this nonsense. In the course of the partition action, there will be an accounting for who paid how much on both houses, and each of them will have the opportunity to buy each other out of either house or both. If they cannot agree, the houses will be put up for sale. They still can then buy each other out of either house in competition with any other buyers. The only other alternative is to negotiate a solution.

I have over twenty years experience litigating real estate disputes, and over fifteen years mediating them. I maintain conference facilities in Carlsbad. If I can be of service in either mediating this problem, which would be my recommendation, or representing your brother, please have him give me a call.