Legal Question in Real Estate Law in California

quick lis pendens filings for RE litigation

Can someone file several lis pendens claims on properties?

In 2004, I sold rentals, carrying 1st DoTs for 75% of the amounts. The buyers were straw men who actually used a Trust to hide the fact that unknow people would be the real owners or counterparties when escrow closed.

The first 20-unit complex was sold 6/21 - I just heard of it.

Now, I want to move quyickly and get the remaining 4-Plex and 6-Plex blocked. The properties are now worth at least $ 300k more than their 2004 sale price. They are in San Bernardino county, but the defendants are in Pasadena (L.A.).

I am hoping for an offer on contigency basis as I have yet to get the first interest payment.

Thank you!


Asked on 7/07/07, 10:46 am

2 Answers from Attorneys

Judith Deming Deming & Associates

Re: quick lis pendens filings for RE litigation

Your message does not make sense; if the buyers are in arrears with interest payments and you hold the first deed of trust, simply foreclose on the properties. If they are not in arrears and you recorded deeds of trust, then the notes which secured the deeds of trust will have to be paid at time of sale and you will get what you bargained for in 2004, so what is the problem? The fact that the properties are worth more now does not matter. Lastly, if you sold to a trust you had every right to demand the trust instruments and financial data for the trust and its principals becaue you were carrying back paper, so if you did not do that, it may be that a court would find that you did not exercise prudence on your own behalf.

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Answered on 7/09/07, 1:34 pm
Carl Starrett Law Offices of Carl H. Starrett II

Re: quick lis pendens filings for RE litigation

Based on the facts as you have presented them, I do not understand the urgency for the request or the need to file a lawsuit. If you have a properly recorded trust deed against the properties you sold, then you should receive a payoff demand through escrow. There does not appear to be a need to block the sale unless you have additional information to share.

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Answered on 7/07/07, 11:02 am


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