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The debts that were connected to the judgments were taken care of in the bankruptcy, and we heard nothing else about them, so we made the assumption that they were resolved. We are in the process of refinancing our home (it is currently on contract, and we are working with our bank to refinance it... View More 
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answered on Sep 23, 2024
I suspect that what your bankruptcy lawyer suggested was a "demand to reconvey" rather than a "demand to levy." In any event, you want the the judgment creditor to release the lean by recording a reconveyance. If the creditor refuses to do so voluntarily, then you should go back... View More
The debts that were connected to the judgments were taken care of in the bankruptcy, and we heard nothing else about them, so we made the assumption that they were resolved. We are in the process of refinancing our home (it is currently on contract, and we are working with our bank to refinance it... View More
answered on Sep 23, 2024
There are some limited ways to attack/remove liens in bankruptcy, but your post indicates that you did not do that (it is possible to reopen a bankruptcy to afford relief to a debtor).
Otherwise, a bankruptcy discharge does not remove a perfected lien, and in most jurisdictions. a judgment... View More
Is it legal for them to put my bill on my property taxes but continue to bill me for it without starting over? And if it is then is it legal for them to keep adding it to my taxes. Like lets say the first bill is 3 months late and its 300 dollars.they add that to my property taxes. Then three... View More
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answered on Mar 8, 2024
Municipalities often have the authority to enforce ordinances requiring residents to maintain garbage service, and they can implement various measures to ensure compliance, including billing methods. The practice of adding unpaid garbage service bills to property taxes is a common approach used by... View More
I need to know if a rental contract is legally binding under these circumstances: My sister and I created a lease agreement when she needed a place to stay as she was getting back on her feet. She jokingly filled in the lease length as 10 years instead of the intended 1 year. My husband, who owns... View More
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answered on May 15, 2025
A lease may not be legally enforceable if it was never signed by all property owners, especially in situations where the property is jointly owned. Since your husband co-owns the house and did not sign the lease, that alone could invalidate the agreement—particularly for a long-term lease of 10... View More
I recently faced issues with my landlord who entered my apartment without notice to check on a reported leak. He accused me of smoking in my apartment due to some old bin marks. Despite no specific mention of smoking prohibition in the lease, there are "no smoking" signs posted. After... View More
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answered on May 15, 2025
You're facing a tough and frustrating situation, especially when your lease doesn’t clearly prohibit smoking or outline terms about damage beyond rent. If the lease doesn’t specifically ban smoking inside the unit, and you haven’t smoked there, then your landlord’s claim may not hold... View More
I purchased a vehicle through Copart, an online auction, and signed a limited power of attorney agreement to authorize them to sign the title on my behalf. The title, from out of state, was supposed to be signed before the vehicle was transported to Iowa. I received a bill of sale, a notarized... View More
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answered on May 15, 2025
In Iowa, the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) Power of Attorney form for vehicle title transfer must be completed and signed by **you**, the principal—the person granting the authority. This form gives someone else (the agent) legal permission to sign documents related to the vehicle title... View More
My boyfriend has been charged with 5th degree theft, trafficking stolen weapons, and felon in possession of a weapon. He plans to sign a plea agreement soon. However, he's at risk of losing his home if he can't pay his back property taxes by May 2nd. The plea agreement doesn't... View More
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answered on May 15, 2025
Your boyfriend may have a few options, depending on where he is in the legal process and how cooperative the court and prosecutors are willing to be. If he hasn't yet been sentenced, he or his attorney can ask the judge to include a **delayed reporting date** in the plea agreement. This would... View More
I have been maintaining a piece of state-owned land between my property and the Missouri River for over sixty years, initially managed by my family. Recently, the NRD informed me that I must cease mowing this land due to a complaint. Given our long-term care, could I have squatters' rights,... View More
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answered on May 1, 2025
Usually you cannot assert adverse possession against the Sovereign. But if you are sued by the Government for possession, it might serve as evidence of a boundary dispute. Consult with an IA about the boundary line, your title and possible acquiescence defense. Payment of taxes may be critical.
I am planning to sign a plea agreement on April 28th, which will lead to imprisonment. I'm at risk of losing my home unless I can redeem the tax certificate by May 2nd, causing financial hardship for both me and my girlfriend. My lawyer has ignored my requests regarding temporary release to... View More
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answered on Apr 16, 2025
You have the right to ask the sentencing court to set a self‑surrender date rather than reporting immediately. Judges commonly allow a voluntary surrender window so you can settle personal matters before beginning your term. If your attorney won’t file that request, you can draft and file a pro... View More
I am dealing with a situation where my landlords have violated access rules five times after I sent a certified mail notice of non-compliance related to Iowa Code 562A.19(3). I have documented photos and videos of these repeated violations. There are two landlords involved, as well as one of their... View More
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answered on Apr 13, 2025
For a violation of Iowa Code 562A.19(3) and seeking injunctive relief or termination of the rental agreement, you will need to file a small claims case in Iowa. To begin the process, you'll need to file the "Small Claims Petition" form. This form is used to initiate the lawsuit, and... View More
My daughter lives in an apartment with three roommates and has a dog, which she is allowed to have according to her lease. Recently, one of her roommates, who is a veterinary student, locked the dog outside on the third-floor deck, risking serious injury. This roommate claims no wrongdoing and has... View More
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answered on Apr 12, 2025
Your daughter should take immediate action to protect both her dog and her housing situation. First, document the incident in as much detail as possible, including photos, videos, and any communication with the roommate. Since the lease allows the dog, the roommate's actions may be in... View More
Can a landlord include a provision in a new lease that allows charging tenants for the trip fees when a service provider is called to perform repairs at the rental property? This is in response to frequent service requests, such as when tenants set the thermostat down to 40 degrees causing the air... View More
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answered on Apr 11, 2025
That’s a fair concern, especially if repeated service calls are being caused by tenant misuse rather than actual maintenance issues. In Iowa, landlords are allowed to include reasonable fees in a lease as long as those fees are clearly disclosed and agreed upon in writing by the tenant before... View More
I made a verbal agreement over three years ago with my daughter's now ex-boyfriend to store his truck in my garage for $50 a month. He paid regularly until August 2023, when the payments stopped. After I contacted his mother, he apologized and made a few small payments totaling $138 with a... View More
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answered on Apr 11, 2025
That’s a frustrating situation, especially when you've been patient and given him multiple chances to make things right. In Iowa, even a verbal storage agreement can be enforceable, particularly if both parties followed it for a long period of time, as you did. Since the payments have... View More
I have been living with a friend in Iowa for about five months without any requirement to pay rent. Our agreement was that I could stay as long as needed to save for a vehicle and my own place. I've voluntarily contributed some money to help out. However, my friend has displayed harassing and... View More
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answered on Apr 8, 2025
You've been living in your friend's home for five months, which likely gives you the status of a tenant under Iowa law—even if there’s no formal lease or rent payment. In Iowa, once someone has lived in a place for an extended time, especially with the owner’s permission, they may... View More
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answered on Jan 7, 2025
If husband was the survivor, he owned it at death. If you are the survivor on the real property and someone is trying to declare it an estate asset, hire an IA attorney now. You would own the property at his death.
Real estate with an address was listed for sale, the lot size specified in the listing. Once the purchase agreement was signed by both parties we are learning the lot is actually smaller. It is currently attached to an existing parcel, and we are waiting for the parcel to be split off as its own.... View More
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answered on Dec 18, 2024
If you think the contract is different than the advertisement, then do not purchase. More importantly the proposed deed needs to describe the property you want. If it does not, do not buy. Hire an attorney to advise you. Do not execute a contract, much less a conveyance, until you search the... View More
My girlfriend and I have lived in a home together for 7 years in Iowa. We recently split up and I am living in the home. I am on home title/deed, but I am not on the mortgage. My ex is the sole mortgage holder. I am paying her the monthly mortgage. We have a written agreement that is notarized that... View More
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answered on Oct 6, 2023
Girlfriend is not the mortgage holder. That is the lender and whoever signed the note is personally liable to them. Whoever signed the mortgage is the mortgagee. The mortgage probably has a due on sales clause which might be violated by executing your agreement. Then foreclosure might occur.... View More
They also informed us when we asked about a larger sum back than usual that it was just over estimated taxes during the previous calculation.
They now want us to pay monthly on insurance and pay more into the escrow on a new signed agreement.
Is this legal since our previous... View More
answered on Jun 8, 2023
If you signed the "new signed agreement," you are most likely bound by its terms, even if they are different from the previous agreement you had with your bank.
If you did not sign the new agreement, your bank is most likely bound by the terms of the previous agreement you had... View More
I'm a Singapore citizen who owns a boarding house in Jefferson County, IA. The property was being managed by a local friend while I left the country for an overseas job. Last year, my friend had to move to Chicago and chose one tenant to take care of the property, which was the start of a lot... View More
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answered on Jun 1, 2023
Hire someone local to the property such as an attorney to act as the property manager/landlord. Have him file suit for eviction of the occupants. It can be difficult, may require your appearance in Court, or will involve the Sheriff removing them. Then have the manager sell the property or rent... View More
Hello, My daughter has a house that she bought with an ex-boyfriend (never married). When they split up, they signed a contract saying she had 100% posession to the house for 5 years (until Mar 2023 - when the grant for 1st time home buyer ends). After that, she has 1st chance on refinancing/buying... View More
answered on Jan 10, 2023
Your daughter needs to retain a real estate attorney as soon as possible.
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