Living in a Community Property State Does Not Automatically Protect Your Real Estate From Probate
and how this single inexpensive fix can save you thousands of dollars in probate fees. By Melissa M. Murdock, Attorney at Law November 1, 2021 Community Property 101 Washington and Idaho are both considered community property states. For those of you that are unfamiliar with that terminology, it is how a marriage can affect the title, or ownership, of assets. In…
Read MoreQuirky Roads: City Streets and Country Roads. Part II
So, you found your dream home! You sign the purchase and sale agreement and deposit the earnest money. When you hear from your real estate agent of a competing urbanite who expressed interest in the parcel, you breathe easy knowing it is “your place.” Ten days later, the title insurance commitment arrives – twenty-three pages…
Read MoreQuirky Roads: City Streets and Country Roads, Part I
Urban refugees from crowded city streets, pandemic-based fears, and racially charged violence give in to the temptation to “leave it all behind” and move to more rural states. Eastern Washington, Idaho, and Montana are favorite destinations for the exodus. And why not? The cost of living is lower –$350,000 buys a house – an actual house…
Read MorePress Release: Bristol George hires Shawn Glen
COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho – May 12, 2020. Bristol George, PLLC announces the addition of Shawn M. Glen to its legal staff. Ms. Glen is licensed as an attorney in the States of Idaho and Montana. Ms. Glen received her Juris Doctor from the University of Montana School of Law and has been practicing for twenty-five…
Read MoreWhat’s the difference between a Warranty Deed and a Quitclaim Deed?
Hi! My name is Greg George. I’m an attorney with Bristol George. This video addresses the question, “What is the difference between a Warranty Deed and a Quitclaim Deed?” What is the difference between a warranty and a quitclaim deed? Let’s start with the definition of a deed: “DEED: A written instrument by which one…
Read MoreHow do you find out if you have deed restrictions?
https://youtu.be/7WniXy1pEw8 How do you find out if you have deed restrictions? Let’s start with a definition. A deed restriction is defined as a restriction on how you may use your property. The first place to go for this information is to the deed itself. Read your deed and you will have started the process of…
Read MoreCan a lien be placed on my property without notice?
Can a lien be placed on your property without notice? Before we answer this question, we need to know that a lien is defined as a legal right or interest that a creditor has in another’s property usually lasting only until the debt is paid. There are different types of liens. A mortgage, a mechanic’s…
Read MoreDo CC&Rs Expire?
Hi! My name is Greg George. I’m an attorney with Bristol George. This video addresses the question, “Do CC&Rs Expire?” Do Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions Expire? The short answer is “yes”—but only if they say so. What do I mean: only if they say so? Let me explain. CC&Rs are usually, although not always, included in a larger set…
Read MoreWhat is a Seller Disclosure Form?
Hi! My name is Greg George. I’m an attorney with Bristol George. This video addresses the question, “What is a seller disclosure form?” We will concentrate on the laws of Idaho in this video. “What is a seller disclosure form?” A seller disclosure form is a document required by State law that discloses certain physical…
Read MoreCan I Sue my HOA
Can you sue your homeowner’s association? The short answer is most likely yes. After reading dozens of governing documents for homeowner’s associations, in my years of practice I have never seen a provision that bars a homeowner from suing their HOA. However, that’s not to say that there may not be a set of governing…
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