Legal Question in Real Estate Law in California

My sister and I owe a house together. I own 2/3 and she owns 1/3. We had a verbal agreement last year Nov. 2015 that we would get the house appraised and Nov. 2015. We would figure out how much we still owe on the house in Jan. 2016, and find out how much the value increased and pay her 1/3.

Now she changed her mind and wants to do another appraisal because the house has increased in value and wants more money, despite our verbal agreement last year.

I have emails stating what we agreed on last year.

I want to know my rights if my emails are enough to hold in a legal matter?


Asked on 3/09/16, 9:08 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

No, the emails are not enough. For most contracts a verbal agreement is enough. For many contracts even if they must be written, a written confirmation such as an email may suffice, but for an agreement pertaining to ownership of real estate, it must not only be in writing but signed by the person who the other party seeks to have held to the contract. Without a signed written agreement with your sister there was not binding legal agreement.

Read more
Answered on 3/10/16, 7:47 am


Related Questions & Answers

More Real Estate and Real Property questions and answers in California