In Orange County, California, we have a fancy legal term for evictions: Unlawful detainers. And now they’ve gone electronic!
But not all electronic filings are created equal.
Unlike regular civil cases, evictions are given priority in the court system. If all goes well, a property owner can expect a trial in a matter of weeks. But the fast track to judgment has a price. Not in dollars, but in sense. In California, the unlawful detainer is a foreboding and strict creature. The slightest mistake may cause a do-over.
Because we are a land that bends over backward for tenants, property owners must handle these cases with hyper vigilance. Staying abreast of local, municipal and state rules is critical.
As of January, 1, 2013, Orange County evictions must be processed electronically. It’s mandatory!
Having handled dozens of these trials in 22 years, this change is delaying access to the judicial system and causing extra expense. Maybe it’s a growing pain. I suppose time will tell.
Evictions are closely tied to short sales, foreclosures, and investment property. In my view, real estate agents should have a rudimentary understanding of the process and a finger on the pulse of recent developments. It’s not a fun part of real estate, to be sure.
May be we should call them Awful Detainers!
Orange County Evictions Go Electronic ~ Brian L. Sirota, Esq.
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