Can't get title/deed to land (Barbados, USA)

[phill40]

My grandmother and her cousin inherited some land from her Imother in 1972 when she passed. My grandma paid the taxes and for the land to be cleaned from overgrowth by herself. She has paid numerous lawyers and tried many times to have the will probated and have never succeeded. Needless to say, my grandmother passed in 2011 and we still have no title/deed to the land and the lawyer that was hired prior to her passing stopped returning all calls. My dad sent him a letter requesting back the conveyances and other documents that were sent to him. We're still waiting to get them back. I have now taken over where my grandmother lefted off. I don't understand how someone can pay taxes for land under a deceased person's name for 30 years and the lawyers can get a will probated because all witnesses is deceased (I would think they would be by now). How can we get title/deed to this property so that it can be sold. The land is in Barbados and we are in the US. Please reply....thanks for your answers

[AFFA]

I wish to inform you that property will be inherited by you by following laws of intestacy. In this regard if any legal action was going in which your grandmother was legal heir of property then you will have to inform court that your parents are legal heir of your grandmother. After obtaining court order you can have property transferred in your name. You can also contact property registry and know details of present ownership. As you are in USA and if you cannot come to Barbados then you can have a lawyer to represent you.

AFF

[Lexus]

You know there are no restrictions on foreigners inheriting real property in Barbodos. Laws are equally applicable for natives and foreigners in Barbodos. A court of law can determine if there is equitable ownership in real property, the property automatically passes under the law of survivorship to the surviving party up on death of the testator.

[Friend In Court]

Originally Posted by phill40 My grandmother and her cousin inherited some land from her Imother in 1972 when she passed. My grandma paid the taxes and for the land to be cleaned from overgrowth by herself. She has paid numerous lawyers and tried many times to have the will probated and have never succeeded. Needless to say, my grandmother passed in 2011 and we still have no title/deed to the land and the lawyer that was hired prior to her passing stopped returning all calls. My dad sent him a letter requesting back the conveyances and other documents that were sent to him. We're still waiting to get them back. I have now taken over where my grandmother lefted off. I don't understand how someone can pay taxes for land under a deceased person's name for 30 years and the lawyers can get a will probated because all witnesses is deceased (I would think they would be by now). How can we get title/deed to this property so that it can be sold. The land is in Barbados and we are in the US. Please reply....thanks for your answers

My suggestion is that you contact a title company in Barbados and speak with one of their title officers. Title officers that are lawyers, not clerks.

Title officers know what and how to clear title clouds or defects and also know real estate lawyers in the area who are knowledgeable about real estate law and effective litigators, should that become necessary.

The lawyer not returning documents is troubling. If these were originals I would be most concerned and if not returned forthwith, I would be looking to assist the aid of the Bar equivalent in Barbados.

[phill40]

Thanks for the info. Sent the lawyer an email and a letter last month requesting the docs. His wife finally got back to me today. My sister should be picking them up any day now. Given the circumstances surrounding this issue, would it be feasible to seek out a firm in the US that has offices in Barbados.

[Friend In Court]

Originally Posted by phill40 Thanks for the info. Sent the lawyer an email and a letter last month requesting the docs. His wife finally got back to me today. My sister should be picking them up any day now. Given the circumstances surrounding this issue, would it be feasible to seek out a firm in the US that has offices in Barbados.

If you CAN find a US law firm that has offices in Barbados, that would be nice. However, their law should be quite different than U.S. real estate law which varies even state to state. Should you contact a Barbados real estate lawyer your interests would probably be best served.