[WSBARP] Timeshare question

Sun Sep 10 13:04:57 PDT 2017

Doug, 

Nicely stated. 

Sincerely,

Tom

Thomas J. Westbrook

Attorney at Law

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From: wsbarp-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com [mailto:wsbarp-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com] On Behalf Of Wheeler, Doug
Sent: Saturday, September 9, 2017 12:34 PM
To: WSBA Real Property Listserv
Subject: Re: [WSBARP] Timeshare question

A deeded timeshare interest is a real property interest as a tenant in common with other owners in the same unit, not that much different than ownership of a condominium or any other real property interest.  As such it can only be conveyed by recording an instrument with the real property records.  Depending upon how title was held, it may require a probate if it was held in the name of the decedent as his separate property.  If title was held by a now dissolved entity, a surviving director or manager should have the power and authority to convey it.  Really, just about any real estate lawyer should be able to hand something like this.  The problem usually is that a timeshare isn’t worth much but the cost of transferring title is the same as for any other piece of real property.

As for Timeshare Exit Team (aka Reed Hein & Associates), they are or were subject to investigation by the Washington Attorney General’s office.  They have been sued by some of the larger timeshare companies due to fraudulent activities that have harmed timeshare owners.  They seem to get good reviews on the internet.  I don’t know how they manage that (unless they are fake reviews that they post themselves).  Anyway, most people in the industry recognize them for what they are - a scam.  

It is not surprising that their lawyers “abandoned” PC when the going got a little harder – the attorney gets paid some part of the money paid to Timeshare Exit Team but all the attorney typically does is send a poorly written form letter.  Below are links to a couple recent articles on the lawsuits filed against Timeshare Exit Team.  You may have heard ads on KIRO.  Dave Ramsey, Dave Ramsey and Dori Monson in particular endorse them.  I don’t know if they are still promoting Timeshare Exit Team, but if they are, KIRO should be ashamed.

A timeshare owner should NEVER pay any money up-front to anyone who alleges that they can get the owner out of a timeshare.  It is almost always a scam.  

The same goes for timeshare resales – NEVER pay any money up front, and always remember that old rule:  If it sounds too good to be true, it almost always is.

Here are links to articles about the lawsuits filed against Timeshare Exit Team:

http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170726006103/en/Welk-Resorts-Files-Suit-Timeshare-Exit-Team#.WYul4AGV7wA.gmail

http://resorttrades.com/timeshare-industry-applauds-justice-department-for-cracking-down-on-fraudulent-timeshare-scheme/

Google searches come up with a lot of positives, but if you dig a little deeper, the complaints start to show up.

Good luck.

Doug Wheeler

General Counsel

Vacation Internationale

1417 116th Avenue NE

Bellevue, WA  98004

(425) 454-3065 Ext. 1208

 <mailto:DWheeler at viresorts.com> DWheeler at viresorts.com

From: wsbarp-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com [mailto:wsbarp-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com] On Behalf Of Melinda Grout
Sent: September 8, 2017 6:30 PM
To: WSBA Real Property Listserv <wsbarp at lists.wsbarppt.com>
Subject: [WSBARP] Timeshare question

PC’s spouse now deceased, and apparently owned a timeshare (deeded), possibly held in the name of spouse's corporation which is now dissolved.  PC (Surviving spouse) wants out of the timeshare, and hired “Timeshare Exit Team” or something like that, to get out of it.  The timeshare company apparently agreed to let PC out, but wants title cleared, vaguely suggesting maybe a probate or some kind of quiet title action might get that done.

I have not handled this before, and frankly think the attorneys PC hired with that Exit Team company should be seeing this through, and have encouraged PC to go back to them.  However, if that proves a dead end for her, she still needs help with this.  Has anyone handled this kind of situation?  I’m thinking this may be a real estate lawyer matter, not a probate lawyer matter.  I would love to inform PC that there is someone I can refer to who can clear this all up…

Regards,

Melinda Grout
Law Office of Melinda K Grout, PS
17325 W. Main Street / P.O. Box 1360
Monroe, WA  98272
360-794-4322  / Fax: 425-744-6745

Emphasizing Estate Planning, Probate, and Elder Law
mkgroutlaw.com

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