Posted on: 10th May, 2010 09:23 am
Hi Everyone,
I am hoping someone can give me advice regarding a situation that happened 20 years ago to a close family member. My aunt was involved in a common law relationship and they owned various properties in Florida, including a luxury condo. They went through a bad patch and seperated for a few months. Her partner then suddenly passed away. She owned a successful travel business at the time and with the sudden death of her partner, she became depressed and could no longer cope with the business and filed for bankruptcy. Needless to say she was not in the right frame of mind to make any sensible business decisions at this point in her life. With this, her "friend" suggested she sign her condo over to her until everything settles down and after a month or so, she would sign the condo back to her. She did this and signed a quick claim deed under the agreement that it would be returned to her. She also cleared her bank account and wrote her a cheque for $80,000 which was to be transferred back again once the dust settled.
The friend did not sign the condo back to her and began to ignore her calls. She then sold it behind her back and when my aunt contacted a lawyer, the friend said she didn't know what she was talking about with regards to the $80,000 and that she was owed that money.
My question is, although we know this friend was totally wrong in everything she did, did she break the law? Can we file anything against her 20 years later? And could it be grounds for a case that my aunt was vulnerable and taken advantage of and signed her condo over under false promises?
If anyone has any information which can help us get started, it would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you!
I am hoping someone can give me advice regarding a situation that happened 20 years ago to a close family member. My aunt was involved in a common law relationship and they owned various properties in Florida, including a luxury condo. They went through a bad patch and seperated for a few months. Her partner then suddenly passed away. She owned a successful travel business at the time and with the sudden death of her partner, she became depressed and could no longer cope with the business and filed for bankruptcy. Needless to say she was not in the right frame of mind to make any sensible business decisions at this point in her life. With this, her "friend" suggested she sign her condo over to her until everything settles down and after a month or so, she would sign the condo back to her. She did this and signed a quick claim deed under the agreement that it would be returned to her. She also cleared her bank account and wrote her a cheque for $80,000 which was to be transferred back again once the dust settled.
The friend did not sign the condo back to her and began to ignore her calls. She then sold it behind her back and when my aunt contacted a lawyer, the friend said she didn't know what she was talking about with regards to the $80,000 and that she was owed that money.
My question is, although we know this friend was totally wrong in everything she did, did she break the law? Can we file anything against her 20 years later? And could it be grounds for a case that my aunt was vulnerable and taken advantage of and signed her condo over under false promises?
If anyone has any information which can help us get started, it would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you!
Hi laurenhughes!
Welcome to forums!
Your aunt can always file a case against her friend who duped her and took away the condo. She should contact a real estate attorney and discuss the case with him. He would let your aunt know whether or not she can take any legal steps against her friend.
Feel free to ask if you've further queries.
Sussane
Welcome to forums!
Your aunt can always file a case against her friend who duped her and took away the condo. She should contact a real estate attorney and discuss the case with him. He would let your aunt know whether or not she can take any legal steps against her friend.
Feel free to ask if you've further queries.
Sussane
20 years is too late for any action.
