Legal Question in Real Estate Law in New York
property transfer to daughter
We recently are transferring a house and piece of property to our daughter-we went to a lawyer with the paperwork in january 2009 to make the transfer. He gave us the temporary paperwork and was paid. It is now almost April and theres no sign of a deed or the lawyer. We cannot find him. He went out of business we're told-the phone number is disconnected. How can I find the paperwork/deed to the house ???? What do we do ????
2 Answers from Attorneys
Re: property transfer to daughter
I agree with Mr. Markowitz.
You should first send a letter to the lawyer asking for the money back and your paperwork. He may have changed telephone numbers and moved. But he should have filed a change of address card.
It is just as easy for any lawyer to prepare the necessary paperwork to change title.
All he would need is a copy of the deed which he can be obtained at the county clerks office and tax bills.
If you would like to discuss this matter further, please feel free to contact me.
Re: property transfer to daughter
Try this website to search for the attorney.
http://iapps.courts.state.ny.us/attorney/AttorneySearch
If he disappeared, you should go to the County Clerk where the did should have been filed and ask if the deed was filed.
If the deed was never filed, you are out of luck. You may want to file a complaint against the lawyer. However, you remedy is to retain another lawyer to prepare and file another deed.
Mike.