What rights do I have to a house that I helped to pay off and on which I hold a quitclaim deed?
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What rights do I have to a house that I helped to pay off and on which I hold a quitclaim deed?
Many years ago I moved into my now ex-fiance’s house. Long story short, I had him sign a quitclaim deed. I had been making the majority of the house payments, but my name had not been on the mortgage, nor would the mortgage company put my name on it. It was in foreclosure which I made the payments up and got it out of foreclosure. He and I parted ways and soon afterward I received (he received) a letter from the mortgage company stating, ” Congratulations Mr.___, you have paid off your home”. I was the one who had paid it. Now some 14 years later I am disabled.
Asked on June 5, 2011 under Real Estate Law, Minnesota
Answers:
M.T.G., Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 13 years ago | Contributor
Wait so what happened to the deed? Was it filed? Was there any other document as to the "sake" signed here? The letter from the lender will never be in your name as you were not officially on the mortgage. But that maynot really matter so long as the satisfaction is filed by the mortgage lender and you properly filed the deed. I would take all the documentation to an attorney to review on your behalf. I just want to make sure that everything is legal. There could be an issue here about the "sale" of the property having to be in writing (if it is not then t violated the Statute of Frauds) but there is consideration for the sale (you paid the mortgage). Good luck.
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