CLEAR Application
  • CLEAR: Clinic for Legal Equity and Repairs

    CLEAR: Clinic for Legal Equity and Repairs

    Complete this form to connect and learn more about our Tangled Title process at Catapult Greater Pittsburgh.

  •  Clinic for Legal Equity and Repairs

    A Tangled Title is a phrase used to describe problems related to the legal ownership of real estate. If you live in a home and consider yourself the homeowner, but your name is not on the deed, you may have a tangled title situation.
     
    Most times we see this problem occur when the homeowner on the deed passes away, and the family members continue to live in the home without transferring title. Those family members will continue living in the property, paying the real estate taxes, and maintaining the property, but it does not make them the owner of the property. Living heirs of the deceased homeowner have a right to title of the property.

    You could have a tangled title if:
    ·      Your name is not on the deed to your house
    ·      One of your relatives owned the house in which you live in, and they had their name on the deed, but that relative has since passed away
    ·      You are the only person who has interest in living in the house, but your name is not on the deed

    It is important to have title for the following reasons:
    ·      the ability to take out a mortgage or loan
    ·      the ability to get on a tax payment plan
    ·      access to apply for free weatherization programming
    ·      access to apply for a non-profit’s home repair or utility assistance program
    ·      the ability to sell your home
    ·      the ability to get property insurance
    ·      the ability to get real estate tax abatements
    ·      the ability to leave the property to someone or have the necessary documents completed, such as a Will, that describes a plan for the future of the house

    This programming will also provide quality of life home repairs and assistance (home repairs are currently operating on a waitlist for new applicants; see below for more details), as well as the completion of estate planning documentation, to those that are receiving our Tangled Title legal services.

    Please note, due to high demand, there is currently a waitlist for home repairs.

     

    Eligibility Priorities

    Catapult will be prioritizing individuals and families who are 62 and older, heirs of deceased primary homeowners (owner on record), caregivers of children 18 and younger, and those who are veterans or widows/widowers of veterans. Catapult will be focusing on the preservation of Black homeownership.

    These are not eligibility requirements, but priorities. We will review all applications as they come through.

    ***PLEASE ALLOW 7-10 BUSINESS DAYS FOR A RESPONSE FROM CATAPULT GREATER PITTSBURGH STAFF***

     

  • Format: (000) 000-0000.
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  • Homeowner Information

    This section will provide Catapult program staff with some background information on you, your family, and your potential tangled title matter. The information you provide will help us learn more about what your specific needs are, and will be kept confidential amongst Catapult staff, as well as our consulting attorney.
  • Are you currently living in the property in question?*
  • Is the property vacant?
  • Your relationship to owner(s) on record (I am the homeowner's _____)*
  • Are recorded owners living or deceased?*
  • Do you have the death certificate(s) for the deceased homeowners?*
  • Did the deceased owner(s) have a Will?*
  • If yes, has the Will been probated? (Probate is defined as the authentication of a Will by a probate clerk in the Register of Wills)
  • If it hasn't been probated, do you have the original Will?
  • What was the homeowner's marital status at the time of death?*

  • Additional Information

  • Do you have a copy of the last recorded deed?*
  • Are there any unpaid bills or liens on the property that you are aware of? Such as delinquent property taxes and/or water or sewer charges?*
  • Are there any bank loans against the property? Such as a mortgage or home equity line of credit?*
  • Is there homeowner's insurance on the property?*

  • Home Repairs and Wills

    Alongside partners, Catapult can provide necessary home repairs, as well as succession planning documents to ensure the legacy of the home moving forward.
  • Is your home currently in need of any interior or exterior home repairs?*
  • Are you interested in working with an attorney to complete your Will?*
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