Legal Question in Real Estate Law in Illinois

Re: Equity In My Home

In order to put a lien on the property, you have to show you have some legal right to some of the value of the house. If you transfered title to him without charge, then that is petty much it. The time to recover your equity is when you transfer title. The court is going to presume that you made the deal with your eyes open. Otherwise you are relying on your son's good nature and the values you taught him as a child.

You say you were 'forced'. Did your financial circumstances force you? if so, there isn't much you can do. The courts take a dim view of people who transfer assets to 'protect' them from creditors.

If you can show that he exerted undue pressure to force you to transfer title, then you might have a case. In which case, you need to talk to trial counsel. Arguing that he took advantage of you when you were in a tight spot won't do much because you have lived there at little or no cost for almost four years.