Long ago in law school a bankruptcy professor pointed out to us that, if you exaggerate your income on a credit card application, you might have a problem eliminating that card debt in bankruptcy. The bankruptcy code has a provision prohibiting discharge of debts to the extent they were obtained…
California Real Estate Lawyers Blog
Commercial Leases and square footage approximations-Is the Lessor safe?
A commercial lease in California stated that the premises contained approximately x square feet. It also stated that the parties agreed that it was a reasonable approximation and payments based on the size are not subject to revision if the actual size is found to be different. The tenant paid…
When a good neighbor is better than a stack of law books- how prescriptive easements apply in the neighborhood.
Prescriptive easement law evolved from the problems locating property lines in rural areas. Traditional real estate law provided the concept was that, if you used your neighbors land, by running livestock across it, building a road on the neighbors side of the property line, or so other use, the victimized…
Unenforceable Arbitration Agreements in Homebuilder Contracts
California Courts have been refusing to enforce arbitration provisions that appear in homebuilder’s contracts. These provisions often appear in the purchase agreement, home buyer’s warranty application, and even the project’s Declaration of CC&R’s recorded before any houses are sold. The Courts are finding the provisions to be “unconscionable.” An unconscionable…
When is Saturday a holiday?
When is Saturday a holiday? How to calculate when to exercise an option, give notice, and other deadlines.California Code of Civil Procedure 10 defines holidays as only Sunday and other days specified elsewhere in the Code. This must be read in conjunction with Code of Civil Procedure 12a, which states…
Contract or Option?
A buyer contracted to buy 10 acres of land subject to a study to determine whether the property could be subdivided. The contract provided that, during the study period, the buyer, “at its absolute and sole discretion,” could cancel the contract. The seller cancelled the escrow, and Buyer sued. The…