Fraudulent deed transfers: something to think about!

In York, PA we have an association. The developers of the property created the association, by-laws and covenants. Contained within the covenants was stated that when 24 homes were sold, the association would be responsible for maintaining the "perpetual open spaces". I am the 4th president of the association and have lived here two years. In reviewing our secretaries handbook in late DEcember I came across a deed transfer to the association. The developers had three partners. One of the partners is a lawyer who created the deed indicating he was acting as "agent for the association". His wife was the notary. The current and original association members did not give the lawyer permission to act as an agent, nor was anyone aware this deed transfer took place - till I stuck my nose in. We want to disband the association acording to the rules of the covenants. Because this deed was concealed, I will be calling a lawyer 3/24/08 after input is received from all association members. Should I be talking to our D.A.? Our township requires we keep all grass mowed to 12". To do so will cost up to $10k per yr. The land cannot be developed and must remain open space acording to the township. I believe this is why the deed transfer was conceiled. Also should my "title insurance co.", realtor, previous owner (who had no knowledge) or closing lawyer or someone  - should I have been informed? What is our recourse?

Well everything here is interesting. The only thing is, try and report it!

We had a property we owned transfered with a forged signature,(documented by 2 independent and seperate forensic document examiners), without a valid contract, and without our consent, in other words stolen. it was done by a large brand name title company. It has cost us over $10 in legal fees and we have no chance of recovering the missing funds nor our legal expenses. According to the judge a title company isn't a professional service so they can't be sued for professional malpractice, hence no legel costs.

 We called the local police, they didn't care. we called the county sheriff, they didn't care. We called the FBI, they didn't care. We called the state banking and insurance commission, they said they had a slight problem with the signature but everything else was ok, they were even ok with the papers without a signature but with the missing signature witnessed by 2 people. We even called the governor, he didn't care either.

If no one cares about fraud and forgery, no wonder we are in this financial mess. i thought title companies were supposed to be the last line of defense against fraud, but if they are openly engaging in it, well i guess it just makes us worse than most 3rd world counties, at least there someone will do something.

My exhusband forged my signature on our home title deed in 1993 and transferred our property in his name. He sold the property in 2002. I have hired a lawyer to claim my half of the property. The new owner has Title Insurance and has filed a claim. To what extend will the Title Company resolve this matter?  How will they help me to prove my case? Will they bring criminal charges against my husband.  I might have to prove my case by bringing in a handwriting expert. I am an innocent victim and like others this matter is costing me money out of my pocket to resolve. People don't realize that one dishonest action by one causes hardship for many people that are involved. Congress has to come up with a law to impose strict punishment to these offenders.  Forgery is a scary matter and with the economy the way it is, fraudalent acts are going to increase.

I failed to mention my legal name had changed. The notary failed to ask for ID or he was in on the scheme. I feel I have a strong case, but I have to go the extra yard to prove forgery of my signature.  I could not obtain the original deed with my signature on it. Any advice or suggestions would be helpful. Meanwile I will continue to do my research.  Oh, my the way, I live in Virginia.

I was wondering if it is a fraudulent conveyance if the wife is not on the mortgage note or deed with her husband and his mother, and his mother then conveys herself 1/2 interest in our marital home and changes it from JTWS to tenants in common? We didn't know she did it until about a year later. She said she was within her right to do this. Is that true? Oh, and the wife paid mostly all the mortgage payments and we live in Alabama.