Protect your property

Hafa adai, everyone. I just wanted to drop a note and give some friendly advice as it relates to your property and or your assets. This is sort of a community announcement, if you will, from my heart to all of you.

In my travels recently I have been hearing that a few people have transferred their property over to some individuals, promising unrealistic amounts of money value for them. These individuals play upon your desperation for cash today and by planting this idea in your head that your property is worth a very large amount, they hope that you will warranty deed or quitclaim deed your property over to them so they can transact this deal for you. In fact, when you ask them why you need to give them a deed, they tell you it’s because they will put it under a company and you will be part of that company or that the buyer will only deal with that company. The bottom line is this is a scam and fraud no matter how you look at it. These people are taking advantage of our economic situation, your limited knowledge about real estate laws, and more importantly, the fact that most victims cannot afford to hire an attorney when they do realize they have been scammed and do not know where to turn for help.

Please do not ever sign over your rights, either in long-term lease or deed of any kind to a third party who has not paid you at the same time what you have agreed upon. Anyone asking you to do this, tell them you need to confer with your attorney before you do anything, then go arrange a free consultation. Most likely the attorney you see will already know of the person who is trying to scam you, at which time he or she can give you the best advice to move forward safely in protecting your assets and property from this happening to you. If you know of anyone trying to do this to a member of your family, please let your family know to come see you first before they do anything with those people so you can point them in the right direction.

Family and estate planning is an important process that helps to clarify who is entitled to your assets and property in case something happens to you. It prevents the cost of probate, and family infighting and greed for assets you left behind. The document for this is called a “simple will” and once done will be locked away at the court house, safe and secure for the time when it is needed. An attorney’s office can do this for you, you can buy a package online, or check this Web page on how to do it for free for you and your family’s future: http://peepshowcustom.wix.com/spi-cnmi#!community-services-page/c1fy6

Michael E. Dilley
Papago, Saipan