Legal Question in Real Estate Law in Florida

Property ownership

When my grandfather passed, in 1995, the assets were split between my sisiter and myself. This included two pieces of undeveloped property in Florida valued at the time at $4000. I paid all the taxes and maintenance on the property until going oversea in 2000, and requested my sister pay until my return. This was done because I had paid all these costs and she had not paid any, though that was her responsibility. During my overseas stint, I discovered that she had paid nothing at all. I am preparing to bring all the porperty current. . . do I have right of full ownership of her property? I wish to sell both pieces as we do not forsee ourselves settling there.

My sister and I do not communicate or get along well, so any amicable discussion as to relative rights to the ownership, having paid all the bills myself, is not really an option.


Asked on 4/16/05, 8:24 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys

David Slater David P. Slater, Esq.

Re: Property ownership

You have an equitable lien for the expenses you incurred. You will probably need a court order to enforce it.

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Answered on 4/16/05, 11:18 pm
Michael Hendrickson Law Office Michael E. Hendrickson

Re: Property ownership

You will most likely need to engage the services of an attorney knowledgeable in the law of real property in the jurisdiction where this property is located who will likely recommend that a suit for partition be filed which may very well result in the court ordered sale of the property with the proceeds of the sale to be apportioned between you and your sister.

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Answered on 4/17/05, 12:22 am


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