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Asked 2 months ago - Mountain View, CA
FlagThis is an unusual question. Due to an error made in a Condominium Plan 30 years ago but undiscovered until now, it turns out that I have legal title to my neighbor's property and she has legal title to mine. My neighbor is in Chapter 13, and has been on the Trustees Pending List for over 400 days. I think her lender could in theory foreclose on the property I occupy as that's the legally owned collateral they have for her mortgage with them. If they did that could I evict her from the property she occupies, given her Chapter 13 status? Would I have to apply to lift the automatic stay? Other pairs of condos were also swapped by mistake with the solution being simultaneous quitclaims by pairs of neighbors, but this requires a level of cooperation that is missing in my case.
Stay relief is always required to commence or continue an action against property of the estate. "Property of the estate" is a defined term pursuant to 11 U.S.C. Section 541. Your question is whether since the property is not truly property of the estate (at least based upon your representation that it is no), then is stay relief required. Even if you are correct and the property is not legally hers, there is no determination by a court of competent jurisdiction, and, therefore, you should, at least, seek a "comfort Order". Sanctions for stay violations can be hefty, therefore, it is incumbent upon you to tread very carefully (and hire a qualified bankruptcy attorney in California to assist you)!
In addition to the advice given by others about bankruptcy procedure, I suggest that you consult a real estate attorney about how to get the title issue cleared up. I don't claim to know CA law, but in CT or Mass we would do deeds between the parties to clarify the title if all concerned are co-operative, otherwise you would have to go to court with an action to quiet title.
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