Quiet Title Lawsuit - Philadelphia PA - -

[Gerald O'Brien]

As will be obvious I am a real estate novice. I’m looking for suggestions on how to address a civil suit that has been filed against me. The suit is seeking to “Quiet Title”. The property involved, 1528 Leithgow St. Philadelphia, PA belongs to a Cecelia V O’Brien. I am involved because I was/am the executor of my Aunt Cecilia V O’Brien’s estate. In addition to this property I have a NJ Shore how which I rent out during the summer season.

As for the lawsuit. To the best of my and my siblings knowledge, our Aunt Ceil lived all of her life, from around age 2 until she enter an extended care facility at the age of 95 in 2005, in the house at 3156 Memphis St Philadelphia, PA, that I and my siblings grew up in.

At no point in any discussions, with I or my siblings, did my Aunt ever mention living in or owning a second house anywhere. (There is a second property at 1024 Leithgow St in the paper trail to the 1528 property.) My Aunt, until she passed away at 100, always has a completely clear mind. So we find it very difficult to think she just forgot a second house. Also, one thing our Aunt would never do is fail to pay any and all bills she was responsible for. I mention this because based on the suit, the 1528 Leithgow house went delinquent on tax and water payments around 1995. This is just not something our Aunt would do.

We just do not see how this house could be the property of our Cecilia V O’Brien’s.

Being a novice I would be interested in any opinions as to whether or not we should consider fighting this lawsuit.

I have researched the deed on 1528 Leithgow and 1024 Leithgow nothing obviously points to our Aunt Ceil.

Google 1528 North Leithgow St

https://www.google.com/maps/place/1528+N+Leithgow+...

Any and all suggestions would be appreciated.

[Ethan Giller]

@Gerald O'Brien a quiet title action means that there is uncertainty regarding who has legal claim to the property, and someone (likely an investor since 1528 N Leithgow St is a 500 sq ft vacant lot, not a house) is trying to buy it or establish their claim to it.  My advice is that your best course of action is to contact the investor who is trying to purchase it and offer for you and your siblings to sign a quit claim deed.  This relinquishes any claim that you have on the property, while not actively claiming you had any claim in the first place.  Depending on exactly the situation, the investor may be willing to pay you some money for your efforts as they may then be able to get title to the property more quickly and avoid court costs.  At any rate, you have nothing to lose by establishing a direct line of communication with whoever has filed the claim, and seeing what you can negotiate.  Best of luck!