Can someone help untangle this strange chain of ownership?

[InquiringMind88]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? California

I'm deleting this message because it seems that the situation is too complicated for anyone to even speculate about.

Thank you, tranquility and Zigner, for your replies.

 

[Zigner]

What makes you ask?

 

[tranquility]

I remember having to trace title once for property class. What a pain. The process is repetitive, a little complex and requires some detours that you just would not expect. And, that only had to do with the recorded documents. Here there seems there are events outside of the recordation history that will affect ownership. From that, I learned to pay a real estate attorney when the legal question has to do with real estate.

Maybe the OP is smarter than I or maybe he has a bit more knowledge of the situation than I, but if this is for anything more than idle curiosity, I recommend getting professional help. There is no way for a layman to "untangle" a strange chain of ownership without a TON of time at the county recorder and at the law library. It is not a look at it for a few minutes and come to a logical conclusion thing.

 

[InquiringMind88]

What makes you ask?

I'm researching an article. "John" is a public figure (well, in certain circles anyway).

"Mary", who as I mentioned is a friend, believes that even if something untoward were uncovered, too much time has passed for her to do anything about it (legally speaking).

 

[Zigner]

I'm researching an article. "John" is a public figure (well, in certain circles anyway).

"Mary", who as I mentioned is a friend, believes that even if something untoward were uncovered, too much time has passed for her to do anything about it (legally speaking).

Then definitely feel free to PAY a professional - would you really base your "research" on a bunch of internet strangers?

 

[tranquility]

Nextwife, did you find the cooking sherry again? I guess it's after five; so, nevermind.