Property ownership is a point of pride – whether you own your own home or are building a real estate investment portfolio in Oklahoma. The last thing you want to deal with is fraudulent claims that slow you down and put your investment at risk. After all, this is one of the biggest financial investments (if not THE biggest) you’ll make in your lifetime.
Fraudulent claims against your property can cost you both time and money, potentially delaying the sale of the property or complicating efforts to refinance your mortgage. In many cases, fraudulent claims result in title defects that can freeze your property’s status until the issue is resolved.
We want to prepare you for the possibility of fraudulent property claims and help you see the pathway forward in each situation.
Types of Fraudulent Property Claims
Baseless Liens
Baseless or mistaken liens are a common type of fraudulent property claims. These liens are sometimes pursued without any valid reason or simply stem from a misunderstanding of the situation at hand.
They can tie up your property and create significant obstacles. It might be a disgruntled contractor or a creditor trying to extract money they’re not entitled to. Regardless of the source, baseless liens can stall property transactions and cause undue stress.
Boundary Disputes with No Evidence
Boundary disputes can arise when a neighbor or another party claims that a portion of your property belongs to them or encroaches upon their property. Even when they have no supporting evidence, these disputes can be frustrating and confusing. In some cases, they arise years after you’ve been living on and/or using the property according to a previous survey.
These can’t be ignored. If you fail to respond, the courts may consider your lack of response as a sign that you have neglected the property. This is becoming more of an issue in the age of “zombie homes.”
Fraudulent Title Claims with Forged Documents
The most serious and complicated fraudulent property claims involve individuals or entities asserting ownership over your property based on forged documents or a wild deed. This can include fraudulent deeds or titles that falsely signify a transfer of property ownership before or after you (or your family) initially purchased the property.
Such claims can lead to “wild deeds,” which can be incredibly challenging to rectify without significant legal effort.
Settling Fraudulent Property Claims
To protect your property and your investments, it’s crucial to take swift action when faced with fraudulent property claims. Depending on the nature of the claim, you have options.
When dealing with boundary disputes, enlist the services of professional land surveyors. They can accurately determine the property’s boundaries, providing you with reliable evidence to refute baseless claims. A surveyor’s expertise helps in resolving disputes and includes reviewing previous land surveys to verify their work.
If you’re confronted with a baseless lien, consult with an attorney experienced in property law. They can help you take legal action to remove the unjust lien from your property’s title which allows you to sell or refinance the property without hindrance.
Wild deeds, often the result of fraudulent ownership claims with forged documents, require the expertise of an experienced attorney. We are able to assist clients in navigating these particularly complicated matters by verifying the true ownership history of the home and removing any fraudulent claims against the title. Acting quickly is essential to minimize the damage caused by wild deeds.
Contact Pence Law Firm to Handle Your Oklahoma Property ClaimIf you find yourself facing fraudulent property claims in Oklahoma, don’t hesitate to reach out to Pence Law Firm. Our experienced team of attorneys specializes in real property disputes and has a proven track record of successfully resolving them. We understand the urgency and complexity of these issues and will work diligently to protect your property rights.
