Expert: Dick Dennis - 12/17/2009

Question
Mr. Dennis,
 We have a piece of property aside from our own home that is for sale about a hundred miles away. It was given to my husband after his grandmother passed. We had a prospective buyer, but they never produced the funding. They have since started working on the place, cutting down trees and fixing up the lawn and area (in which we have learned of this just today from neighbors). I'm not sure what their goal is for doing all this work as we did not ask them to nor did we give them the okay to do so. Someone had mentioned something called "settler rights". Do you know anything about these rights or have any idea on what they are trying to do?
Sincerely,
Elizabeth

Answer
That is a bunch of baloney, Elizabeth. I strongly suggest you contact a real estate attorney who will take the necessary steps to get them off the property, PLUS pay you for the loss of the trees or any other damage to the property. Do it now before they do any more damage.

One other thing: It is possible for scam artists to forge the proper documents and put the property into their names ALREADY! Especially so shortly after the passing of your mother in law. That's what scams do, especially in this economy. They look for free and clear properties that do not appear to have anybody taking care of it. Do not hesitate. Go find a good local REAL ESTATE attorney. I do  wish you well.

Dick Dennis
dixiedee13@aol.com