what kind of lawyer do i need to sue the person i bought my house from

by Dr. Daisy Johns V 4 min read

What kind of lawyer do I need to sue a contractor?

Feb 05, 2020 · The moment you sign a contract with someone, you are in fact entering into a business agreement with them. Thus, the most common type of lawyer used to sue a contractor is a business law attorney. There may be differences in the type of lawyer you need depending on the type of contractor you enter into an agreement with.

What do you need to sue a lawyer?

However, every state places a dollar limit on the amount of damages you can sue for—usually somewhere between $1,500 and $15,000. To find your state's exact limit, see 50-State Chart of Small Claims Court Limits. Even if your damages are over the limit—for example, if the repairs cost $8,000 and the limit is $5,000—bringing a suit for ...

Do you need an attorney to file a civil lawsuit?

Jul 23, 2020 · What kind of law office should I approach for below situation: A common friend not giving money ($50k) back to me after I originally gave him with the intension of purchasing business from him. ... If you do need to sue your roommate for the debt owed to you, ... Ex bought house and was going to put my name on after closing. I have put 65k in ...

Can I sue someone for stealing my property?

Oct 30, 2020 · Lawyers can work in a law firm with other lawyers, with a partner, or practice by themselves in a solo practice. In most cases, a lawyer will be chosen based on the type of case, or practice area, and the location of the case. Lawyers can provide a wide range of services to their clients. Some lawyers handle many different types of cases.

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How long can a buyer sue a seller after closing in California?

As a last resort, a homeowner may file a lawsuit against the seller within a limited amount of time, known as a statute of limitations. Statutes of limitations are typically two to 10 years after closing. Lawsuits may be filed in small claims court relatively quickly and inexpensively, and without an attorney.

Can you sue previous homeowner for non disclosure Michigan?

Laws Ann. § 565.951.) (Also see "Home Sellers in Michigan: Your Disclosure Obligations" for more information.) If the seller intentionally misrepresents or withholds information on the disclosure statement, you may pursue legal action against the seller for fraud or misrepresentation.

What is the statute of limitations on real estate disclosures in Illinois?

one yearHowever, the statute of limitation in Illinois for an action of “failure to disclose” is one year from the purchase of the property.Nov 16, 2020

Does Illinois have a buyer beware law?

Illinois law requires you, as a home seller, to tell a prospective buyer, in writing, about any material defects you actually know about. This means anything you're aware of that affects the value, healthfulness, and safety of your property.

Is Michigan a buyer beware state?

This advice is perhaps well intentioned but it is wrong, at least under current Michigan law. The baseline standard is still buyer beware. The Act modifies this standard; it does not reverse it into a seller's confessional act.

How long are you liable after selling a house?

Normally a buyer would have six years in which to bring a claim against you, although in certain situations it could be three years from when the buyer becomes aware of a problem.

What happens if a seller lists a defect on the disclosure report?

What happens if a seller lists a defect on the disclosure report? The home must sell as is. The seller must repair it before the home transfers. The buyer is required to have an inspector verify the problem.

Is radon disclosure required in Illinois?

Radon Warning Statement The seller of any interest in residential real property is required to provide the buyer with any information on radon test results of the dwelling showing elevated levels of radon in the seller's possession.

What do sellers have to disclose in Illinois?

The Illinois Real Property Act requires sellers to disclose known defects and problems with a property. The law protects buyers from purchasing homes that have serious defects, and it protects sellers from liability for any defects that appear after a sale is completed.

Is Illinois a non disclosure state?

The public has demanded this increased level of information. But, there are 12 states that are still considered “non-disclosure:” Alaska, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri (some counties), Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Texas, Utah and Wyoming.Jul 3, 2019

What is the statute of limitations in Illinois?

LIMITATIONS PERIOD The statute of limitations is seven years (735 ILCS 5/12-108(a)). However, Illinois law allows a judgment-creditor to revive an enforcement action within 20 years of the date the judgment was entered (735 ILCS 5/2-1602(a) and 5/13-218).

Which of the following describes a legal proceeding or legal action brought by either the buyer or the seller under a purchase contract to enforce the terms of the contract?

The legal proceeding or legal action brought by either the buyer or the seller under a purchase contract to enforce the terms of the contract is known as: A suit for specific performance.

If your home came with unhappy surprises like leaks, cracks, broken mechanical systems, or other defects, the financial responsibility might not be yours alone

If your home came with unhappy surprises like leaks, cracks, broken mechanical systems, or other defects, the financial responsibility might not be yours alone.

Minor Home Defects or Natural Aging Aren't Grounds for a Lawsuit

You probably knew when you bought the house that it wasn't in perfect condition. Some problems, such as a crack in the front walk, might have been obvious. Others, such as aging plumbing, the seller might have told you about in the course of the sale.

Could the Home Seller Be Held Legally Responsible?

Even if you think you've been wronged, you can't sue everyone who was involved in the sale of your home. The home seller is the first one to consider, of course.

Could the Seller's Real Estate Agent Be Held Legally Responsible?

Some states' laws make sellers' real estate agents liable for failing to disclose problems they observed or were told of by the sellers, though often their duties are fairly limited. Check your state's disclosure laws and try to figure out whether the problem would have been apparent to the broker, but not to you, before the sale.

Could Your Home Inspector Be Held Legally Responsible?

Hopefully, you got a home inspection before buying. In theory, the inspector should have spotted problems that the seller wasn't aware of, or was turning a blind eye to. If the inspector missed problems that an expert (a professional peer) should have noticed, the inspector might be on the hook; that is, legally liable.

Do You Have a Solid Case?

Once you've figured out the possible responsible parties, you'll want to know whether their action—or inaction—might entitle you to compensation. If your situation meets the criteria below, you might have a good case. We've collapsed a few legal principles into this list, but it will apply to most situations in most U.S. states.

Legal Basis for Filing a Lawsuit

In legalese, you could potentially sue someone based on any of the following principles, or some combination of them:

How to sue someone in California?

California Courtslists these as the steps for how to sue someone. Keep in mind the actual courts and processes may vary by state, but generally you will need to do these things if you’re pursuing a case by yourself: 1 Figure Out How to Name the Defendant 2 Ask for Payment 3 Find the Right Court to File Your Claim 4 Fill Out Your Court Forms 5 File Your Claim 6 Serve Your Claim 7 Go to Court

Why is being a lawyer so hard?

Being a lawyer is hard; that’s why it takes so much time and money to become one. Lawyers typically do not represent plaintiffs at small claims court because the stakes, shall we say, are too low — but that makes those cases no less complex for a layperson.

What happens if someone disobeys a court order?

When someone disobeys a court order, you can file a contempt action in an effort to get them to comply. If the court finds that the person did in fact disobey the order, the court may fine the person (or even put them in jail). In addition, the court will take steps to force the person to comply with the order.

Why did PayPal shut down?

If I’m understanding your question correctly, it’s that you didn’t lose the money, but your PayPal account was shut down because it was associated with a fraudulent transaction. If that’s the case, you can call PayPal and find out what you can do to reconcile your account and resolve the situation.

What happens when someone steals someone else's property?

When someone steals someone else’s property, the victim can notify the police ( in which case the person may be charged with criminal theft). The victim can also file a civil suit (in which case the person can recover the fair market value of the stolen property). Reply. Linda Mcgrathsays.

Do personal injury attorneys work on contingency?

So is paying for depositions, witness reports and the like. Personal injury attorneys usually work on contingencysimply because it would not be financially possible for a plaintiff to bankroll a lawsuit; criminal attorneys like to charge by the hour. Far too much is required in fees on an up-front basis.

What can a lawyer advise on?

A lawyer can advise an individual what they may be entitled to in their state, as laws vary by state. Issues may include alimony and child support. Without a lawyer, an individual runs the risk of inadvertently waiving their rights to alimony, visitation with their children, or even custody of their children.

What is a lawyer?

A lawyer is an individual who is licensed to practice law in a state. Lawyers are also known as attorneys or an attorney at law. Some lawyers are licensed in multiple states. Some lawyers are admitted to practice at the Federal level as well.

Why is it important to have a family lawyer?

It is important in divorce cases for an individual to have a family lawyer representing them to ensure their rights are protected.

What is criminal law?

Criminal law is the body of laws that pertain to crimes. Crimes are actions or behaviors prohibited by state or federal laws. Crimes are punishable by fines, probation, and/or imprisonment. Usually, crimes are categorized as misdemeanors or felonies.

Can a guilty plea affect immigration status?

Some guilty pleas, even to misdemeanor charges, can have long-term consequences. A guilty plea can also affect immigration status or lead to deportation of a non-citizen. It is important to remember that, in most cases, when an individual cannot afford a criminal lawyer, the court will appoint one to represent them.

What is civil matter?

Civil matters include contract disputes between businesses, real estate, and personal transactions. Unlike criminal cases, there is no determination of guilt or innocence. Usually, the parties may only recover monetary damages, including punitive damages in some cases.

Do I need a lawyer for a prenup?

In most cases, marriages do not require a lawyer but a prenuptial agreement should be reviewed by a lawyer. In some states, it is required, unless expressly waived, that an individual is represented before signing a prenuptial agreement. Many family law matters begin after a couple has been married.

What do you need to show when suing an attorney for malpractice?

When suing an attorney for legal malpractice, you will need to show that the attorney did not use the ordinary amount of skill and care that most attorneys use in similar situations.

What to do when you hire an attorney?

When you hire an attorney, you do so with trust and confidence. Most attorneys are upstanding and do a good job for their clients. Unfortunately, there are also some bad eggs out there. If your attorney has done something wrong, you may want to consider suing a lawyer for malpractice.

What are the types of malpractice?

Types of Attorney Malpractice 1 Negligence. To sue lawyer for negligence, you need to be able to prove the attorney didn't use the proper care in your case and missed a deadline, filed the wrong papers, didn't comply with court orders, or made other errors that were not intentional but were sloppy. Negligence happens when the attorney makes mistakes that other attorneys normally would not. 2 Breach of duty. This kind of malpractice happens when the lawyer violates his or her responsibilities to you by settling the case without your approval, not preparing the case for trial, lying to you, abandoning your case, misusing funds you provided for court costs, or misusing funds owed to you (such as a settlement amount). The attorney has not done what other attorneys would do in this type of case. 3 Breach of contract. This occurs when an attorney fails to do something he or she agreed to in your contract, such as filing your deed or patent. If the lawyer promised to do something he or she was contractually obligated to do and didn't do it, you have grounds for breach of contract.

Can an attorney be disbarred?

The attorney could be disbarred or directed to pay you compensation. If you are disputing a fee with your lawyer, the state also likely has a fee dispute committee that can help you obtain an out-of-court resolution. You can hire another attorney to complete or fix your case and obtain the outcome you need.

What is a breach of contract?

Breach of contract. This occurs when an attorney fails to do something he or she agreed to in your contract, such as filing your deed or patent. If the lawyer promised to do something he or she was contractually obligated to do and didn't do it, you have grounds for breach of contract.

Can you sue a lawyer for negligence?

To sue lawyer for negligence, you need to be able to prove the attorney didn't use the proper care in your case and missed a deadline, filed the wrong papers, didn't comply with court orders, or made other errors that were not intentional but were sloppy.

Matthew T. Bracy

You cannot garnish wages in Texas, as some of my non-Texas colleagues have suggested. However, they are absolutely correct that you must take action on your judgment. A judgment is a right to collect, but does not collect itself (and the courts don't collect for you). You should contact a collections attorney for advice on how to proceed...

Pamela Koslyn

You already sued him and won a judgment. Now you need to "execute" (collect) your judgment. There are several choices: if he owns real estate, record an abstract of the judgment in the county where he owns property. You get paid when he sells or refinances. You can levy his bank accounts. You can garnish his wages.

James P. Frederick

You need to enforce your small claims judgment. You should check with the court to determine how to execute on the judgment. I do not know why you have waited this long, but the delay has not helped you. If you cannot get help from the court, then I would meet with a collection lawyer to determine what your options are.

Sheldon Philip Starke

Please find a real estate lawyer and bring all your paperwork. The Middletown area has some decent practitioners. It may be helpful to call a lawyer in general practice. . .this is not an uncommon problem. Try the AVVO Find a Lawyer Tab. Good luck.

Gregory Adam Wetzel

You need to talk to an attorney who knows RESPA, the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act. As of January 2014, there are new regulations that are designed to prevent you from getting the runaround about loss mitigation and having to reapply multiple times.

Jonathan Holfinger

The CFPB was created in theory to protect the consumer and they want your complaint about your lender. Ensure you have filed your complaints with specificity here: http://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/ Keep in mind, they will gather those and potentially investigate the lender, but they aren't going to solve every situation.

How much can you sue for in small claims court?

The amount you can sue for is limited depending on your jurisdiction. The limit ranges from $2,500 in Rhode Island to $25,000 in Tennessee.

What to do if someone stole your property?

If you have evidence that a particular person stole your property, you can file a case in civil court in the county where the theft occurred. Ask the court for an order requiring the person to return the articles to you in good condition or else pay you the value of the articles stolen. Note that this is not a criminal matter.

How to file a small claims lawsuit?

To start a case in small claims court, get a complaint or petition from the court, then fill it out with your name and address, the name and address of the defendant – the person you're suing – and the amount you are claiming. The filing fee is minimal, the wait time is short, and the proceeding is informal.

How much does it cost to file a small claims lawsuit?

You will also need to pay the filing fee, typically $100, or ask the court clerk for a waiver based on low income or public assistance.

What happens if you don't show up for a small claims court?

If you fail to show up, your claim will be dismissed. If the contractor fails to show up, you may win your case by default. If you find you cannot sue in small claims court, you can still sue in civil court, although it is more complicated and takes longer.

What happens if you sign a contract?

If you signed a contract, he can be in breach of that contract. If the construction work is defective or if he was fraudulent in some way, there can be a case for suing. If he just stopped working and disappeared, you would probably have a good case. In situations where there are construction defects, most states require a homeowner to give his ...

What information should be included in a contract?

The contract you signed should include the work information. Other information includes invoices, receipts, and canceled checks associated with the work performed. You also have to know the contractor’s legal name. It may be different from the individual name on the contract.

Does a contract contain arbitration?

As a third way to handle disputes, sometimes, a contract contains information on arbitration. This excludes going to trial and tries to settle disputes out of court. Some states offer arbitration and mediation services free or at a reduced rate.

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