This is a rather convuluted situation, but my brother bought half of a home from a friend of his, but she didn't put him on the title. They did sign a contract between them and he paid her for half of the value of the home, but now she wants to sell it and he doesn't to. He has offered to buy her out, but she won't include him on any of the negotiations.

How can he go about adding his name to the title of the property? Does he need to have her with him when he does so? We live in California.

Thanks!

He can't just add his name to the title on his own. She would have to give him a deed adding him to the title.

I suggest that he speak to an attorney asap. If she refuses to cooperate he will probably have to sue her.

He needs to get an attorney immediately and file a Lis Pendens against the property. This will inform any buyers that there is pending litigation that needs to be satisified before the property can be sold.

He will then have to take her to court to force her to add his name to the title. Assuming the contract states that she sold him a half interest in the property, then he should have no problem getting a court to order that.