Real Property

I purchased 4 burial plots at a cemetery in a rural area in Illinois. After receiving my deed I phoned the recorders office at Vermilion County and the recorder checked the Vo. and page number referenced on my deed, and found that page was blank. There is a Cemetery committee that is responsible for and the person that seems to be the person that takes care of issues does not understand the necessity for accuracy. How would you recommend I proceed? Are these small rural cemeteries required to record a legal description by a certified and licensed engineer or surveyor? Also are they required to record a plot? Would you quote and reference the law for cemeteries to provide proper Certified records properly recorded? Also if you would suggest what you think would be appropriate process for me to proceed. Also the appointment of these persons on the Cemetery committee do not understand my need for a correct deed or certificate of ownership. This cemetery has given me a Deed that does not match the records at the recorder office.

I live in a house that was owned by my grandparents. It is mortgage free and valued just below $1 million. My father owns the title but would like to transfer ownership to me. As the house has been in the family for over 70 years, I have no plans to sell, but would like to know how to avoid major tax implications in the transfer of ownership. Is inheriting, quit claim, or gifting the best option - or something else??

Seller checked 'Unknown' to question: 'Is the property located in a Wetlands or FEMA Flood Zone?' After (30) days of moving in the house, I had U.S. Army Corps of Engr. at my property to tell me there was 'consistent soil and plants with Wetland Life...pull the deed on the property.' I pulled the deed alright and it 'clearly' stated 'existing wetlands, proposed drainage easement'. I met with the Seller's Broker and identified what I found and he said, 'You need to discuss that with your Agent.' I stated to him, 'Well, as I see it, it's BOTH Agent's responsibilities to disclose this...and the fact I hired a Real Estate Atty that didn't disclose this either especially when the Atty. SPECIALIZES in Real Estate and Environmental Law?' This matter is only (5) months old....who is negligent? Who bears the responsibility for non-disclosure and INTENTIONALLY checking 'unknown' on the Wetlands question when Real Estate Agents didn't pull the Court Records (Deeds) to answer the question Yes-No on the Wetlands question. The Seller's Broker told me, 'We don't pull the Deeds on every property we sell....' OK, so WHY? His answer was, Because sometimes there's no record on file with the courthouse. I told him...'Well, the property is only (6) yrs. old and the deed was recorded on file back in 2004 when the house was built because the previous homeowner showed me her Deed-Land Survey and it clearly says, 'existing wetlands'. His comment, 'Well...I'm sure our Atty can address that.' Really? How can the Seller's Atty. address that when the Seller NEVER pulled the Deed BEFORE the sale and intentionally checked 'unknown' on Wetlands when the Deed was on file? Does this constitute Real Estate Fraud?

My mother is on the mortgage but not on the note for her home. This is a foreclosure. But my mother has a reverse mortgage that should be sufficiently large enough to pay of the original mortgage. Is the current mortgage servicer-Ocwen-legally obligated to provide her or the attorney for the lender providing the reverse mortgage with a payoff letter?

My father quit claimed a home to my brother over 10 years ago so he could receive medicaid insurance help. My father has life to right use of my brothers home. The right to life clause was added to the deed only last year so that my father would save on property tax., the bank may be foreclosing. Can the bank force my father to move out? My brother has informed me he does not care what happens to our elderly -disabled father. I am a Jail social worker and do not have the money to help him. How can I help my father not be thrown out of his home?