Legal Question in Real Estate Law in Washington
House Stealing
My house that I grew up in was given to me after my mother died. After a year or so it caught on fire but the shop didnt. I was in the process of rebuilding it - had it framed, all the appliances, electrical when my boss (my bestfriends dad) says ''hey you need to get that house out of your name before the city just takes it'' (I had drug charges pending at the time) So he calls me over to his house where he and his friend/mortgage man/ notary etc. are sitting there telling me again to get the house out of my name and here just sign this quick claims deed. Therefore, under diress and scared of losing the house not thinking this guy would ever take it from me, I sign the quick claim deed. Now, at the time of the sale the property and shop were worth $60,000. When you go to clark county gis property/tax information it says that the my boss paid me $10,000 which he never did. Now, if I remember correctly, when I signed the house over we had to back date it. (I think it was to a day I was in jail.) Anyways once I signed it over my boss goes out and gets a loan for 60,000 on the house and uses it to pay off his credit cards, bought a couple of cars, and maybe put $10,000 if that into the house if that. He borrowed 164,000 now and kept it
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: House Stealing
I am afraid that I have nothing but bad news for you. According to what you wrote, even though you were hesitant, you voluntarily signed the paperwork turning your home over to your boss. Apparently, for some reason, and I an unclear on what the reason is, but you did this in an effort to prevent the city from taking possession of the home. That may constitute fraud on your part, although, I caution that I would have to know more details about the circumstances surrounding this transfer.
As for back dating the quit claim, again, by your own admission, you did this voluntarily, so even if you could prove that you were in jail at the time it was dated, that only means that you, your boss, and the notary all lied. Again, I do not see how that helps you.
Further, you have no contract with your former boss detailing his duties and responsibilities, nor your rights. At the end of the day, there may be an attorney willing to take this on for you, but the reality is that given the dollar figures involved, and the fact that the home is mortgaged to the hilt and the bad set of facts in this case, at least as you have described it so far, I would not hold out much hope if I were you.
I am sorry this answer is not very kind, but you deserve a cut and dry answer.
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