Jury Affirms 50/50 Ownership in Miami Family Property Feud
Table of Contents
Case Background
This contentious legal battle unfolded in the Circuit Court of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit in Miami-Dade County, Florida. The case centered on a dispute over ownership of a single-family property located at 530 N.W. 99th Street. The Plaintiffs, Oscar Manzanares and Shirley Manzanares, initiated the action against the Defendants, Oscar Simeon Exposito and Carmen Cuellar, who were Mr. Manzanares’ uncle and aunt.
The dispute stemmed from events that began in or around August 2020. The family members had reached a joint agreement to pool their financial resources to purchase the property. However, due to the Plaintiffs’ superior credit standing, they had agreed that the deed to the property would initially be placed solely in the Defendants’ names. After the purchase, the Plaintiffs contended that they had continued to pour money into the property, making significant mortgage payments and financing extensive improvements, all under the assumption that they held a legitimate ownership stake. When the Defendants allegedly reneged on the family agreement, the Plaintiffs sought judicial intervention to formally establish their rightful interest in the home.
Cause
The Plaintiffs filed suit in February 2023, advancing claims rooted in property law and equitable principles. The primary cause involved the breach of the initial family agreement regarding joint ownership.
Establishing Equitable Ownership
The fundamental cause the Plaintiffs brought before the Court was the need to legally establish their valid, equitable ownership interest in the home, despite the deed only reflecting the Defendants’ names. They argued that because they had contributed substantial capital and labor, the Court should recognize
Continue Reading This Article
Subscribe to access this article and our entire library of legal content.