Bank of America Short Sale Letter Verification Hotline

On September 17, 2012   /   Blog, Escrow, Title Insurance  

short pay letter verified

You might recall our post titled,  “FAKE Short Pay Letters? True Story...” which discussed how an alert settlement agent identified a fraudulent approval letter supposedly issued by Bank of America. She prevented the closing, saving the Company from potential future liability.

In an effort to prevent the reoccurrence of such fraud going forward, Bank of America will now give our representatives the ability to verify approval letters without a title–company–specific Third Party Authorization already in place.

Title & Escrow Officers and Original Borrowers May Use the Hotline

Bank of America Short Sale Customer Care Department

Phone 1.866.880.1232
The hours of operation are:
Monday through Friday:
8 a.m. to 10 p.m. EST
Saturday:
9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. EST

Below is a telephone number settlement agents or title officers may call to verify certain key data points for approval letters where the original loan balance exceeded $500,000. This original loan cutoff amount was selected because, thus far, fraudsters have concentrated on large–balance loans.

If any of our title or escrow officers are suspicious of an approval letter provided by the Listing Agent, we may call to confirm its validity.

Both title officers and original borrowers can use the same telephone number included in the following standard disclosure on the approval letter below:

“Bank of America appreciates all of your efforts and cooperation in this matter. If you have any further questions, please contact our Short Sale Customer Care Department at 1.866.880.1232.”

To verify an approval letter, select Option 1

The hours of operation are:
Monday through Friday: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. EST
Saturday: 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. EST

Bank of America will verify the following information with title officers when they call the number:

  1. The original borrower’s name
  2. The property address
  3. The loan number
  4. The agreed–to short sale payoff amount
  5. Amount approved to junior lien holders specified on letter
  6. The date by which this amount must be received by the bank

When title officers call Bank of America, they will access the approval letter provided to them by the listing agent, as it will be needed to complete the verification process.  Also, an approval letter that does not direct the borrower to contact the Customer Care Department, is likely fraudulent.  At a meeting between Our Company and Bank of America representatives, they stated, “We look forward to partnering with you in this effort and thank you for your cooperation.”

Questions or comments?  Please share below!

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The Home Closing Process and Benefits of an Owner’s Title Insurance Policy

On July 3, 2012   /   Blog, Title Insurance  

The segment does an outstanding job of illustrating how the work done by title insurance professionals provides consumers peace of mind when purchasing a home.

 

 

Questions or comments? Please share below!

Buying a house is an event that happens only a few times in a lifetime for most people. It’s an exciting time and the more you know about the process and what to expect during closing, the more relaxed you’ll be going through it. The American Land Title Association collaborated with the Designing Spaces television series to explain to homebuyers the Escrow closing process and the value of purchasing an owner’s title insurance policy.

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Mortgage Fraud Quiz

On June 12, 2012   /   Blog, Title Insurance  

Mortgage Fraud Quiz

Mortgage fraud is a material misstatement, misrepresentation or omission relied upon by an underwriter or lender to fund, purchase or insure a loan. It continues to evolve as lenders and fraudsters alike adapt to changing economic conditions and government regulations. How much do you know about it? Take the quiz to find out.

1.  A title policy insures against:

    1. Fraud and forgery
    2. Principal and interest
    3. Madness and mayhem
    4. Metes and bounds

2.  A straw buyer is:

    1. Someone who purchases straws in bulk
    2. Someone with good credit who agrees to help someone with bad credit obtain a loan
    3. A first time home buyer
    4. Someone who is over 65

3.  Which of the following items are commonly fabricated in order to induce a lender to approve a loan:

    1. Employment verifications
    2. Mortgage loan applications
    3. Bank statements
    4. All of the above

4.  What document is the most forged document in a real estate transaction:

    1. Deed
    2. Power of Attorney
    3. Mortgage
    4. Purchase Contract

5.  Flopping occurs in what type of transaction:

    1. Refinance
    2. Deed in Lieu
    3. Bulk Sale
    4. Short Sale

6.  Which of the following steps can a settlement agent follow to assist in preventing fraud from occurring in one of their transactions:

    1. Disclose all receipts and disbursements on the HUD-1 Settlement Statement
    2. Make sure the funding lender has everything the settlement agent has
    3. Trust their escrow gut
    4. All of the above

7.  Proper identification should be issued by a governmental entity and include a physical description and (select all that apply):

    1. Include the bearer’s signature
    2. Include the expiration date
    3. Include the bearer’s weight
    4. Include the bearer’s photograph

8.  Which of the following is a red-flag warning of a possible fraudulent transaction (select all that apply):

    1. Purchase offer is more than the list price
    2. Unusual expenses paid by the seller
    3. Silent second mortgages
    4. Transactions not recorded on the HUD-1 Settlement Statement

9.  What are the two classifications mortgage fraud schemes are put into:

    1. Fraud for profit and fraud for housing
    2. Tit for tat
    3. Civil and criminal charges
    4. Tax evasion and wire fraud

10.  Who are usually the perpetrators in a fraud for housing scheme:

    1. Cops
    2. Industry professionals
    3. Drug dealers
    4. Ex-cons

 

Quiz Answers:

  1. A title policy insures against:
    Answer: Fraud and forgery
    The Covered Risks section of both an Owner’s and Lender’s title policy state the insured is covered for, “a defect in the title caused by…forgery, fraud…” Since this coverage is offered in all of the title polices available, fraud and forgery is of major concern to the title industry as well as our Company.
  2. A straw buyer is:
    Answer: Someone with good credit who agrees to help someone with bad credit obtain a loan
    Generally, a straw buyer is someone recruited by a perpetrator to take out a mortgage and purchase a house in their name. The straw buyer normally does not live in the house or have the intent to reside at the house. They often receive cash in exchange for the use of their credit and name.
  3. Which of the following items are commonly fabricated in order to induce a lender to approve a loan:
    Answer: All of the above
    Mortgage fraud schemes involve falsifying a borrower’s financial status by including material misstatements on documents the lender’s underwriter relies on, when evaluating the eligibility of a borrower. This is done by supplying fictitious employment verifications, mortgage loan applications and bank statements
  4. What document is the most forged document in a real estate transaction?
    Answer: Power of Attorney
    A Power of Attorney is written authorization to represent or act on another’s behalf in private affairs, business or some other legal matter. As a result, perpetrators sometimes forge the names of property owners in order to sell a property out from under the rightful owner or use the Power of Attorney to get a loan to strip all the equity from a property unbeknownst to the property owner.
  5. Flopping occurs in what type of transaction:
    Answer: Short Sale
    A flopping scheme requires the perpetrator to conceal or provide falsified information to the loan servicer. This is information the servicer needs to make informed short sale decisions. These concealments might include hiding the true parties to transaction, any contingent transactions or the true value of property.
  6. Which of the following steps can a settlement agent follow to assist in preventing fraud from occurring in one of their transactions:
    Answer: All of the above
    The settlement agent is often the best defense against mortgage fraud. Without them, the fraud might never be prevented. It is important the settlement agent fully disclose all receipts and disbursements on the HUD-1 Settlement Statement and material facts to the funding lender.
  7. Proper identification should be issued by a governmental entity and include a physical description and:
    Answer: Include the bearer’s signature and photograph
    Forged documents are often one of the many elements included in a mortgage fraud scheme. It is important to the lender and title company the borrower is property identified. Although the identification requirements for the purpose of notarizing vary from one state to the next, it is often the lender who requires the borrower present identification which contains all of these elements.
  8. Which of the following is a red-flag warning of a possible fraudulent transaction:
    Answer: A, B, C and D
    Although any one of these items alone might not be an indicator – combined they definitely have the makings of a scheme.
  9. What are the two classifications mortgage fraud schemes are put into:
    Answer: Fraud for profit and fraud for housing
    The FBI defines these two classifications. They state fraud for housing entails misrepresentations by the applicant for the purpose of purchasing a property for a primary residence. This scheme usually involves a single loan. Fraud for profit often involves multiple loans and elaborate schemes perpetrated to gain illicit proceeds from property sales.
  10. Who are usually the perpetrators in a fraud for housing scheme:
    Answer: Industry professionals
    Industry professionals are the ones most familiar with the ins and outs of the loan process – and most often the perpetrators involved in a fraud for housing scheme. The scheme could never occur without the cooperation of the real estate agents, loan officers, appraiser and settlement agent assisting in all the material misrepresentations which must be provided.

How did you do?  Please share your comments below!

 

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What is bankruptcy? What options are available to the debtor and the creditors?

On April 30, 2012   /   Blog, Title Insurance  

bankruptcy options
The purpose of bankruptcy is two-fold: (1) to give the debtor (the party filing bankruptcy) a fresh start and (2) to
pay creditors in an orderly fashion. Bankruptcy is governed by federal law which usually trumps state law when it comes to the actions of both the debtor and creditors.

Liquidation vs. Reorganization

There are essentially two types of bankruptcy – liquidation and reorganization. In a liquidation the debtor gives up trying to pay debts, and assets are turned over to a trustee who sells them to pay creditors. Reorganization offers the opportunity to pay off (usually in installments) or restructure debts based on a plan approved by the creditors and the court. Business entities can continue to operate and come out of bankruptcy in better shape.

Ultimately, no matter which type of bankruptcy it is, the individual debtor is discharged from personal obligation to pay most existing debts, which will not be liens on property acquired in the future.

The Life Cycle of Bankruptcy

Click the image below to view an article and infographic of the life cycle of bankruptcy.  The life cycle of bankruptcy
Click here to view a printable version of the lifecycle of bankruptcy infographic

The most common bankruptcy plans are:

Chapter 7

Chapter 7 is a liquidation, where a trustee is appointed. Certain assets (i.e. your personal residence) can be exempted. Unsecured creditors (for example, a creditor that does not have a mortgage on real property) may end up with nothing, and secured creditors may get less than what they are owed. Real estate transactions require court approval.

Chapter 11

Chapter 11 is a reorganization available to businesses and certain qualifying individuals. It results in a plan allowing for continuing operation of a business, and usually most secured creditors get paid in full and unsecured creditors may get something. There may or may not be a trustee, but if not, the debtor is usually allowed flexibility to do what a trustee would do if it was in the “normal (e.g., ordinary) course of business.” Real estate transactions usually require inclusion in the plan or a special court order. An exception to this rule might be a developer who can usually sell individual lots or houses without special approval.

Chapter 12

Chapter 12 is also a reorganization available to farmers and fishermen. This is shorter than a Chapter 11, and unsecured creditors get less protection.

Chapter 13

Chapter 13 is a “wage earner” reorganization available only to individuals, with a plan and a trustee. Creditors usually get partial payment, but can challenge the plan. The individual has to wait until the plan is completed (usually 3 years or less) for a discharge of debts, except in limited “hardship” situations.

Any type of bankruptcy can be converted to another type. It is important to remember that the bankruptcy court retains jurisdiction until it is closed. In some cases, the court can actually go back and void transactions that occurred even before the bankruptcy was filed. In a reorganization, the plan has to be completed and the case formally closed before the debtor is free from the bankruptcy.

Download

Click the image below to download a printable version of this article.  What is bankruptcy and what options are available?
Bankruptcy Options

The automatic “stay”

One important effect of bankruptcy is an automatic “stay” of any actions of the debtor or creditors, including selling real property or foreclosing any liens. The court obtains immediate jurisdiction over all property, wherever located and no matter where the bankruptcy is filed. Whatever might have been in the works comes to a halt, and no one can proceed without court approval. Some debtors will attempt to file bankruptcy merely to forestall a foreclosure, but a creditor can request that the stay be lifted in order to proceed with a foreclosure, and if the property wouldn’t generate funds for the other creditors, then the court will usually lift the stay, allowing the lender to proceed.

Future blogs will address elements of a bankruptcy, including exemptions, abandoned property, sales “free and clear” and the effect of a discharge, some of which involve common misconceptions about bankruptcy.

Click the following link for a flow chart of the bankruptcy process.

Questions or comments? Please share below!

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HELOC Spending Spree – Was it Fraud or Ignorance?

On April 9, 2012   /   Blog, Escrow, Title Insurance  

Honest Mistake?

During a refinance transaction, a home equity line of credit was paid off – but not closed. Later the refinance lender foreclosed and sold the REO (bank owned) property to a new owner. One of our underwriters insured the refinance, issued the trustee’s sale guarantee and insured the new owner on the sale out.

The former property owner then ran up $172,622 in debt against his home equity line of credit, which was secured by a house he didn’t own. He made no payments, and the home equity lender started foreclosure!

HELOC fraudAs part of a refinance transaction the settlement agent paid, in full, a home equity line of credit (HELOC) in the amount of $149,392.71.

The lender’s payoff statement required the borrower, Mr. Gonzalez, to check either box:
[] Payoff Only
[] Payoff, Terminate and Satisfy/Discharge Mortgage

The payoff statement also provided:
If neither box is checked, the account will remain open and no satisfaction of mortgage will be filed.

The payoff statement further provided:
Notice to Borrower and Closing Agent: A Request to terminate/close your home equity line of credit account to satisfy the mortgage will be processed if (1) the second block is checked; (2) all amounts owed are paid in full; and (3) at least one borrower on the account signs this payoff request.

A Very Small Oversight

Gonzalez signed the payoff request, but due to an oversight on the settlement agent’s part, neither box was checked. As a result the payoff check and request were sent, but the HELOC was not frozen and no reconveyance of the deed of trust securing the loan was ever recorded.

Related Posts

REO Transaction Expectations
Hot Tips for Working with Escrow on an REO Transaction
The REO Transaction Process

Fast forward two years later: Gonzalez fell behind on his payments, and the refinance lender foreclosed, obtaining a Trustee’s Deed upon sale. Subsequently the lender re-sold the property to a new buyer. The sale transaction was handled by one of our offices. The preliminary report showed the HELOC still of record in first lien position as well as a recorded Notice of Default. A claims attorney allowed the title office to insure around the outstanding HELOC, since Our Company had insured the previous transactions involving the refinance lender, the trustee sale guarantee to the refinance lender, and now the ultimate re-sale to the new owner. An endorsement was issued to the final policy of title insurance deleting the exception of the HELOC loan.

The New Owner Files a Claim

The HELOC lender moved forward with its Notice of Default and set a date for Trustee’s Sale. When the new owner received the notices of an impending foreclosure, she opened a claim with Our Company, as she was about to lose her home. The claims department contacted the HELOC lender for a new payoff statement. When the payoff statement was received, the claims attorney noticed Gonzalez (the former owner) had run up $172,622 against his line of credit!

In order to protect the insured’s interest in the property, the Company paid the HELOC lender off again and this time demanded the HELOC be closed and the lien released. The claim was deemed an escrow loss and charged back to the operation dollar-for-dollar!

In an attempt to recoup our losses, the claims attorney sent a written demand to Gonzalez for reimbursement of the amount paid on his behalf to the HELOC lender. Gonzalez called in response to the letter and was friendly, but confused about what was happening. The claims attorney explained to him that Our Company expected full reimbursement for our losses. Gonzalez made it clear that he did not have the resources to pay back the Company. He stated he would retain an attorney.

Moral Of The Story

Does Gonzalez’s decision to run up the HELOC after he lost the property to foreclosure constitute fraud? Yes! Gonzalez intentionally charged $172,622 against a mortgage on a property he no longer owned.

It can be argued that many borrowers are oblivious and don’t understand that they can’t continue to draw on a line of credit after he/she has paid it off and/or no longer live at the property. The issue is that the bank continues to solicit the borrower to spend against the line of credit by providing debit cards and checks that enable more spending!

It is imperative that our settlement agents ensure the HELOC closure letter is signed and, more importantly, delivered to the payoff lender.

It is imperative that our settlement agents ensure the HELOC closure letter is signed and, more importantly, delivered to the payoff lender. There are plenty of instances where the payoff funds are transmitted via wire transfer and the payoff closure letter is not sent to the payoff lender at all, but rather left in the file. There are also plenty of instances where the HELOC payoff statement reflects a zero balance and, subsequently, the signed closure letter is not sent to the payoff lender.

When either instance happens, one of two things eventually occurs later – the lender never closes the line of credit and continues to solicit the borrower to charge against the available balance (which many borrowers do); or the lender continues to accrue annual fees. Either way, once the property is further conveyed, encumbered or foreclosed upon – the HELOC lender is contacted to release its lien and it insists on payment in full AGAIN! Settlement agents need to do their part to protect the Company from these types of losses by sending the closure letter.

Questions or comments?  Please share below!

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Mineral Rights Reservations and Residential Property

On April 2, 2012   /   Blog, Title Insurance  

Mineral Rights Reservations & Title Insurance

The Smith’s offer has been accepted – a nice home in the suburbs, with schools and shopping nearby. The Realtor® has ordered the title report and it looks good…but what’s this? There is an exception for minerals. What does that mean? Is there gold in them thar hills? Will the Smiths wake up one morning and find an oil derrick next to the swing set in the back yard?

What’s Insured?

The Homeowner’s Policy includes very broad “mineral” rights coverage, as follows:

“This Policy insures You against actual loss… resulting from…:

“Your existing improvements (or a replacement or modification made to them after the Policy Date), including lawns, shrubbery or trees, are damaged because of the future exercise of a right to use the surface of the Land for the extraction or development of minerals, water or any other substance, even if those rights are excepted or reserved from the description of the Land or excepted in Schedule B.”

What exactly are minerals, and what can happen because of the reservation?

Ownership of land extends to the center of the earth, and that includes every substance under the surface. And of course, it’s not all just plain “dirt.” It can include many types of valuable substances. Technically oil, gas and similar substances (including natural gas, helium and nitrogen) are not minerals, but can be treated as such under some definitions – in other words, for most people, the definition probably is inclusive of anything that might be considered a mineral, unless the reservation language is explicit.

Ownership of land extends to the center of the earth,

There is a history of mining coal in some parts of western Washington, and with the price of gold at or near record highs, gold mining might make a comeback. More recent activities involve sand and gravel as well as vermiculite, gypsum and perlite.  But these areas are not widespread and residential areas are not necessarily built around them.

Ways mineral reservations might be used

A mineral reservation is a severed “subsurface” parcel in separate ownership from the rest of the land. Prior owners could have sold minerals to a third party or leased it for the purpose of extracting something and collecting rent and royalties. A former owner could have reserved minerals without expecting anything to come of it. Clearly, the owner of minerals would own them, but what that owner might want to take out of the ground could be difficult to determine, to say nothing of the right of access – the ability to actually start digging.

How title companies view mineral reservations

Mineral Rights Residential PropertiesMany mineral reservations are old and have never been actively enforced. Washington has a “dormant mineral” statute (RCW 78.22, et seq.) that allows the surface owner to attempt to terminate unused mineral rights after 20 years of nonuse. Because of the potential for constitutional challenges (and prior case law that said the surface owner can’t claim adverse possession against the mineral owner) title companies typically will not rely on the recorded affidavit to ignore the mineral reservation, but will show it along with the exception for the mineral reservation.

But, a reservation of “minerals” shouldn’t impact most residential transactions. Usually there is nothing valuable in the area. Even if that’s possible, the area probably is subject to stringent environmental, zoning and other land use laws that would preclude anyone from trying to look for or extract minerals. For this reason, title policy endorsements that provide both the owner and the lender coverage against loss due to the exercise of mineral rights are commonly offered in residential transactions. In commercial transactions or some rural areas the risk will be more carefully weighed, including reviewing whether the reservation precludes access from the surface (promising lateral access under the land only) or offers compensation for surface damage, particularly to improvements on the land.

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Mineral rights reservations and real estate

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REO Fixer Fiasco

On March 27, 2012   /   Blog, Title Insurance  

Before and after REO fixer

Buyers are taking full advantage of a down market by purchasing homes at low, low prices after foreclosure or through short sales. The problem is most of the homes have either been neglected or damaged and no longer qualify for government financing, such as an FHA Loan. As a result, some real estate agents are requiring the buyer to pay for repairs up-front.

In one recent transaction the buyer paid $8,500 up-front to have termite damage and other items repaired in anticipation of qualifying for FHA financing.

In some markets the listing agents are advising potential buyers to pay for up-front repairs to abandoned REO and short sale properties during the offer and closing process to ensure the property will qualify for government financing. As a result, the buyer pays for repairs to get the home ready for appraisal. In one recent transaction the buyer paid $8,500 up-front to have termite damage and other items repaired in anticipation of qualifying for FHA financing.

Foreclosure Do-Over

The property was an REO property owned by a bank – post foreclosure. During repair to the property a contract was presented and accepted by the bank. An escrow was opened and a title report ordered that uncovered a defective trustee’s sale. The bank ultimately had to re-start the noticing period and the entire foreclosure process!

The REO bank had to pull out of the contract, since it could not deliver free and clear marketable title to the buyer. The buyer received a full refund of her earnest money deposit, but not the $8,500 spent repairing the home.

Advice from Title

The buyer asked the title company what she could do to collect her up-front cost of repairing a home she ultimately could not purchase. Our response was to consult an attorney, since she might have the ability to file a mechanics’ lien in order to recoup her costs.

More articles relating to REO Transactions:

The REO Transaction Process
Setting expectations on an REO Transaction
4 Hot tips for working with Escrow on an REO Transaction

Questions or comments?  Please share below!

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How One Single Initial Unraveled a Real Estate Transaction…

On March 12, 2012   /   Blog, Title Insurance  

Verifying ID at escrow signing

A small piece of Lucerne Valley was being sold for $41,000 in an all-cash transaction. The buyer and seller lived out of the area, necessitating the closing documents be mailed out for signature. The vacant land sale went sideways when the escrow officer mailed the documents to the seller and demanded they be signed in the presence of an approved notary.

Closing documents mailed to principals

Tiffany V., an escrow officer with our sister branch in Victorville, was handling a simple all-cash sale transaction. All the closing documents were mailed out to the principals for signing. The buyer sent in his completed paperwork and closing funds. All Tiffany was waiting for, was the seller to send in his completed documents and signed grant deed.

An approved notary must be used

When the seller returned the documents to Tiffany, she discovered the seller had not followed her direction to sign them in the presence of a Company-approved notary. She advised him he would have to re-sign with an approved notary. The seller complained our offices were, “…too far and too inconvenient to get to.” and “This is ridiculous; a notary is a notary.” The seller’s real estate agent even gave Tiffany flack about the seller having to re-sign the conveyance deed. Finally the seller agreed to have a Company-approved notary come to him. The owner of record is Charles S. Calloway and the person the notary was meeting with only had identification for Charles E. Calloway. The seller insisted the notary notarize him just as Charles Calloway and that it would be fine with no middle initial.

The man who signed the documents is not the owner

The notary immediately called Tiffany after meeting with the seller. He informed her that he went ahead and notarized the signer as Charles Calloway without the middle initial to avoid getting into the legalities with him. The notary wanted to make sure, however, that Tiffany knew the Charles Calloway he met with was not the Charles S. Calloway on title, but Charles E. Calloway – the grandson of the owner of record.

Probates Explained

Probate: Single at Death
Probate: Married, Community Property
Probate: Married, Separate Property

The property had been in the same family since 1938, passed down from father (deceased owner of record) to son (deceased 20+ years) to grandson. The family members apparently never felt they had to transfer title, since they all had the same name of Charles Calloway.Tiffany promptly notified the real estate agents that the seller did not actually own the property. The seller’s agent quickly apologized about the hard time she gave Tiffany over the approved notary requirement and thanked her for catching the situation before it was too late.

…the Charles Calloway he met with was not the Charles S. Calloway on title, but Charles E. Calloway – the grandson of the owner of record.

The agent has put her client in contact with a probate attorney and it appears the buyer is still very interested in the property and is willing to wait for him to go through probate.

The moral of the story

The deed could have been invalidated by the heirs of the estate of Charles Calloway (senior). Since the new owners were purchasing an owner’s title insurance policy, the company would have had to defend them against any claim or loss resulting from the heirs of the estate laying claim to the property or the proceeds from the sale of the property

Questions or comments? Please share below!

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The Probate Path – Married, Separate Property…

On February 14, 2012   /   Blog, Title Insurance  

Probate path married separate property

Our last Probate Paths blog discussed the effect of death on community property. Today, we talk about another complicated situation involving marriage, another marriage, and death.

Sudden death, no will, and an outdated will…

Hank and Dagny were happily married and living in the family home they bought together. Both had been married before and each had children from those marriages. Hank and Dagny died tragically in December in an avalanche while skiing in the Alps. Dagny never made a will. Hank left an old will in which his son Hank Junior and daughter Randi were the sole devisees. Hank’s will didn’t mention their current home or Dagny. The house is listed for sale by his probate.

What’s the Realtor® to do? And how would the title company approach it?

Download the Probate Path Flow-Chart

Click the image or link below to download a printable version:
Probate Path – Married, Separate Property Flow Chart.

Who passed away first?

Because they bought their house together it would be community property and under normal circumstances the surviving spouse gets it. Since it isn’t in Hank’s will it’s not part of his probate estate. However, it would be if Dagny dies before he does. But – how can it be established who died first – or even if either did? In this situation the presumption would be that they died simultaneously, but how does that help?

The three children could try to dispute who gets what, especially considering the house could be worth a lot and the rest of the estate might be quite substantial. Maybe they are all one happy family and agree that the house can be sold and the proceeds divided up amicably. Or – Alice might claim 100% for herself, arguing that Hank died first and her mom got everything. Hank Jr. and Randi might do the same. Definitely Hank’s will is going to be probated, and Alice will likely want to open a probate on Dagny’s estate as well. But, what if she doesn’t?

Separate property scenario

Here, separate property rules will be applied – to each spouse. The title company will assume that each estate will treat this situation as if each spouse had pre-deceased the other, odd as that might sound. As community property, on the death of either of them, the home would go to the other and would become 100% separate property of the surviving spouse. That rule applies to both spouses here, but then the separate property of each “surviving” spouse is dealt with. The title company would follow a separate probate path for each estate.

The potential interest of each of the three children (plus any other devisee identified in Hank’s will) must be addressed. “

If there is no probate on Dagny’s estate it would certainly call for a “lack of probate” affidavit where Alice gives the facts as she interprets them. The title would also rely on the facts that Hank’s probate will tell them. The potential interest of each of the three children (plus any other devisee identified in Hank’s will) must be addressed. During the pendency of a probate it would probably accept a deed from the personal representative based on an order of the probate court clearing the sale.

The appropriate probate path if Dagny had pre-deceased Hank

Let’s start with Dagny. If she died first, under community property rules Hank would end up with the house. For however many years (or in this case, moments) that he survives Dagny, the house is his, and Alice would get nothing when he died. Then, at the moment of his death, his will would come into play, and Alice would end up with nothing, because she could get only what Dagny would have gotten – but she was already dead and so couldn’t inherit. Junior and Randi get the house.

This is Probate Path No. 3 if his will is probated. If his will is not probated, it’s Probate Path No. 4. Of course, in the latter case, the title company would want a “lack of probate” affidavit, which would probably assert that he was unmarried at death. In that case, Alice would be out of luck. But, that can’t be applied for certain, because the order of death isn’t known.

The appropriate probate path if Hank had pre-deceased Dagny

Similarly, if Hank died first, then Dagny immediately gets the house. His will wouldn’t control. Again, for however long Dagny survives him, the house is hers alone. Then, upon her death Alice, as her only heir – Hank having pre-deceased her – gets the house. As noted, however, this rule can’t be applied because no one knows who died first.

Assuming that both spouses have pre-deceased each other

So, there are two separate property estates, each of which would assume that the respective separate heirs or devisees would get an interest. If only Hank has a probate, the PR would sign for his estate (following Probate Path No. 1), and Alice would sign for her mom’s estate (following Probate Path No. 3).

If the probate is closed without the house being sold, then the title company would ask for individual deeds from Wesley, Randi and Alice, with escrow distributing the proceeds of the sale in accordance with mutual instructions from all three.

Questions or comments?  Please share below!

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The Property Tax Annual Cycle

On February 7, 2012   /   Blog, Title Insurance  

There are few things in life that are as certain as taxes, especially when it comes to buying, selling, and owning real estate.  In this article, we’re going to take a look at property taxes, including when they are due, when they may be paid, how they’re calculated, and what tax relief programs are available.

The Property Tax Timeline

Download the Property Tax infographic

Click here to download a printable version of the Property Tax annual cycle.A graphical depiction of the annual property tax cycle

Property taxes have a timeline that is different than most other taxes or bills that we pay. Let’s take a look at the facts:

  • Taxes are due twice a year, but towards the middle each cycle
  • First half taxes are due at the end of April and cover January through June
  • Second half taxes are due at the end of October, and cover July through December
Click  the following link to download a printable version of the Property Tax Annual Cycle Infographic.

Property tax proration

Because taxes are due toward the middle of the period they cover, a real estate seller may receive a refund or pay prorated taxes depending on the closing date.  For example, a sale that closes in March will have both parties paying prorated taxes: the seller pays for January 1st to date of closing, and the buyer pays from the closing date to June 30th. A closing that happens in May, would give the seller a refund for prorated taxes from the closing date to the end of June, since the seller would have paid in April for the entire first half of the year.

Can property taxes be paid in advance?

When are taxes due?

1st half are due the last day of April, 2nd half are due the last day of October. King County mails out a statement in the middle of February (February 14th for this year – Happy Valentine’s Day!)

Taxes for the second half of the year can be paid in advance, but the first half can’t. Washington State law (RCW 84.56.010) doesn’t allow county treasurers to collect property taxes until February 15 of the year that they are due. So the first half is typically payable any time between Feb 15th and April 30th; and the second half is typically payable any time between Feb 15th and October 31st. It is not necessary to have a tax statement to mail in with your payment. If you decide to mail in your payment without a tax statement, you must write your tax account number on the check. Mailed payments must be postmarked on or before the due date otherwise they will be considered late.

How are property taxes calculated?

How taxes are calculated

The two factors used in the calculation of taxes are the assessed value of the property and the levy rate for that area. Levy rates are represented in dollars per thousand, so to calculate the tax amount multiply the assessed value by the levy rate and divide by 1,000.

The property tax for a given parcel are based on a fairly simple calculation: multiply the total assessed or taxable value of the parcel by the levy rate for that parcel’s neighborhood. In addition there can be fees added by the county to cover specific services like noxious weed control.

Last Year’s Assessed Value x This Year’s Levy Rate = Tax Amount Due

What determines the levy rate?

The levy rates are determined by a number of factors, including the results of voter-approved levies. Property taxes usually aren’t certified until the middle of February, even though the assessments were mailed out the previous year (which often causes confusion). In other words, the assessed valuation statement you get in the 2ndhalf of this year has no effect on the taxes you are paying this year. The valuation will be used in the calculation for next year’s taxes. You won’t know the actual tax you will need to pay for 2012 until the county certifies 2012 taxes in the middle of February, even though 2012 assessed values have been available for months.

Assessed value vs. taxable value

The assessed value is typically the same as the taxable value except in cases where the taxpayer has applied for and received an exemption. For example, senior and disabled property owners may qualify for tax reductions. In some cases home improvements may qualify for a 3-year exemption for taxes on the value of the improvement. For more information on possible exemptions or tax defererals, contact the Assessor-Treasurer for the county in which the property is located.

What tax relief programs are available?

Here are some examples of programs and special classifications available that provide tax relief:

  • Open Space Classification for Agricultural land, Timberland, and Natural preserves.
  • Designated Forest Land Classification for timberland parcels 20 acres or more.
  • Historical Restoration Exemption for historical significant property undergoing restoration.
  • Improvement Exemption – Single Family Dwellings a temporary exemption of valuation of additions to single-family dwellings.
  • Destroyed Property Claim adjustment to the valuation of destroyed property. (please note this program is handled by the Admin department, for further information please contact them at 425 388-3038).
  • Property tax exemptions for senior citizens and disabled persons
  • Full tax deferrals for senior citizens and disabled persons.
  • Exemptions for qualifying property owned by non-profit organizations.
  • Property tax deferral for those with limited income.

Property tax resources:

King County property tax resources

King County Assessor-Treasurer hotline: (206) 296-3850
Find your tax parcel account number: King County tax parcel search
See or print a tax statement: View or print King County tax statements here.
Make online payment: Pay King County Property Taxes Online
Make checks payable to: King County Treasurer
Mailing addresses for property taxes: King County Treasury 500 Fourth Avenue, Room 600 Seattle, WA 98104

Pierce County property tax resources:

Pierce County Assessor-Treasurer hotline: (253) 798-6111
Find your tax parcel account number: Pierce County tax parcel search
See or print a tax statement: View or print Pierce County tax statements online here.
Make online payment: Pay Pierce County Property Taxes Online
Make checks payable to: Pierce County
Mailing addresses for property taxes: Pierce County Budget & Finance P.O. Box 11621 Tacoma, WA 98411-6621

Snohomish County property tax resources:

Snohomish County Assessor-Treasurer hotline: (425) 388-3433
Find your tax parcel account number: Snohomish County Tax tax parcel search
See or print a tax statement: View or Print Snohomish County tax statements online here.
Make online payment: Pay Snohomish County Property Taxes Online.
Make checks payable to: Snohomish County Treasurer
Mailing addresses for property taxes: Snohomish County Treasurer 3000 Rockefeller Ave, M/S 501 Everett, WA 98201
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