Modules 12-18 Flashcards
to pass legal title from grantor to grantee, the deed must be LEAD
lawfully
executed
and
delivered
lawful execution of deed
- a writing signed by grantor
- unambiguous description of the land
- identification of the parties by name/description
- words of intent to transfer (“grant”)
description of land
doesnt have to be perfect, but must be unambiguous and at least provide a good lead
effect of insufficient land description
title cant be transferred
delivery of a deed
physically or manually transferred (mailing it is fine)
standard: present intent to transfer the instrument itself
acceptance of deed
presumed
rejection of deed
expressly reject; title does not pass
presumptions concerning delivery of deed
- grantor retains possession = no delivery
- grantee has possession = delivery
- handed to grantee = delivery
- acknowledged by grantor in front of a notary = delivery
- recorded = delivery
use of extrinsic evidence with deeds
all types of evidence, including grantor’s conduct or statements BEFORE OR AFTER the alleged delivery, is admissible to prove grantor’s intent to pass title
If a deed is absolute on its face and is transferred to grantee with an oral condition, what happens?
oral condition is dropped b/c it is too vulnerable to fraud
delivery of deed with written conditions
generally valid when delivered; if the condition is the grantor’s death, the deed creates a future interest in the grantee
transfer of deed to third party with conditions (escrow transaction)
grantor may deliver an executed deed to a third party with instructions that the deed be delivered to the grantee once certain conditions are met
if written instructions are given to escrow agent, grantor is bound by the delivery to the agent
if oral instructions are given to escrow agent, grantor can change the instructions and recall the deed while it is still in the agent’s hands, UNLESS THERE IS A WRITTEN K OF SALE
donative escrow with conditions
if condition is grantor’s death - grantor cannot retrieve b/c they had the present intent to convey future interest
if condition is something other than grantor’s death - grantor can retrieve it
quitclaim deed
grantor guarantees NOTHING
general warranty deed
includes 6 covenants that are attributable to grantor OR their predecessors
1. (p) seisin - grantor owns the estate
2. (p) right to convey - grantor has power to transfer
3. (p) against encumbrances - no servitudes/liens
4. (f) quiet enjoyment - grantee will not be disturbed by third party’s lawful claim of title
5. (f) warranty - defend against reasonable claims of title by third party and compensate the grantee for any loss sustained by claim of superior title
6. (f) further assurances - do whatever is needed to perfect grantee’s title if it later turns out to be imperfect
special warranty deed
same covenants as general warranty deed, but grantor makes those promises only on behalf of himself, not his predecessors
statutory special warranty deed
creates by implication two limited assurances against acts of grantor only
1. grantor has not conveyed the same estate or any interest therein to anyone other than the grantee
2. estate is free from encumbrances made by the grantor
damages and remote grantees
remote grantees cannot enforce present covenants
if there are successive conveyances by GWD and the last grantee is evicted by lawful claim of title, HE MAY SUE ANYONE UP THE LINE
defective deeds
void - set aside even if property has passed to BFP (forged, never delivered, issued to nonexistent grantee, obtained by fraud in the fact [grantor was deceived and did not realize that she was executing deed])
voidable - set aside only if the property has not passed to BFP (executed by minors/incapacitated people, fraud in inducement, duress, undue influence, mistake, breach of fiduciary duty)
fraudulent conveyances of deeds
may be set aside by grantor’s creditors if it was made:
1. with actual intent to hinder, delay, or defraud any creditor of the grantor; or
2. without receiving aa reasonably equivalent value in exchange for the transfer, and the debtor was insolvent or became insolvent as a result of the transfer
when are deeds based on fraudulent conveyance not set aside?
against any grantee who took in good faith and paid reasonably equivalent value
closing disclosures
residential mortgage lenders must provide within 3 business days prior to closing; details about mortgage including:
1. principal, interest, and payment amounts
2. closing costs
3. any potential surprises to mortgagors
4. cash required to close
notice of defects upon closing (disclosures)
seller who fails to disclose KNOWN defect that must be disclosed in disclosure form will be liable for defect AFTER closing
race statutes
first in time, first in right
notice statutes
last BFP to take wins; recording does not matter
subsequent purchaser who had NO NOTICE of a prior conveyance by the grantor will prevail over a prior grantee who failed to record
ex. A conveyance of an interest in land (O to A) shall not be valid against any subsequent purchaser for value (B), without notice thereof, unless the conveyance is recorded (duty on A)
race-notice statutes
last BFP wins if he is the last to take AND he records
ex. Any conveyance of an interest in land (O to A) shall not be valid against any subsequent purchaser for value (B) without notice thereof, whose conveyance is first recorded (duty on B)
can donees, heirs, and devisees ever be BFPs?
generally no; they have to be a purchaser for value
does the shelter rule protect the doomed donee?
yes