Comments on: Can I take the interior doors from my brothers house if he plans on filing bankruptcy?

By: Barry M

Barry M — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 22:39:08 +0000

I am not an attorney . . . however, if he still has full title to the house, he can do what he wants with it.

By: Lesley

Lesley — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 23:41:23 +0000

I don’t recommend this because it devalues the house, but that never stops people that are angry that they are losing the house.

If he files bankruptcy any deficiency will be discharged, but I don’t know that your brother can assume that the mortgage company isn’t going to take action via the bankruptcy court if he destroys the property.

By: Hatlady

Hatlady — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 21:33:55 +0000

This can cause your brother some problems because it will diminish the value of the home. If he goes into foreclosure, the bank will auction the home. A home with no interior doors will sell for a lower value at auction than one with the interior doors. This means the difference between what your brother owes and what the bank can get for the house will be larger. And since the bank will most likely try to collect on this amount, it means your brother will end up deeper in debt.

I belive it also violates his mortgage contract. When you take out a mortgage you promise to properly maintain the property.

You may be able to get away with it, but that doesn’t mean it is legal. And it can come back to bite your brother late on.

By: Jack M

Jack M — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 16:20:34 +0000

Your brother and you can “do anything” short of burning the house to the ground !

Your brother is filing bankruptcy and I assume, foreclosure hasn’t started yet ?

Have fun with the “remodeling job” and that is not illegal

By: Fabio G

Fabio G — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 01:20:52 +0000

well the summary of all the answers is do it quietly and dont get cought. Sorry about your brother’s situation. Hope things get better and this will become just a story of hard times before the good ones come.

By: mcmufin

mcmufin — Sat, 30 May 2009 17:09:40 +0000

It is a crime in some states. In most states, the lender will not go after you if you do it. However, it devalues the house, and if your brother has a recourse mortgage, the bank can go after him for the difference in value you cause. Or it can just file charges against him with the prosecutor’s office because he is an accomplice to your crime. If you **** your brother, this is a good idea. See source#1 below.

Assuming you **** your brother, remember this: doors come in different widths, heights, and depths. They can also be easily damaged if not moved properly, they are heavy (one isn’t, but ten will wear you out), and they can be difficult to hang, especially if you have to change the hinge placement or , God forbid, re-sink a hinge. You could easily do a lot of work and not be able to use the doors. See source #2 below

By: bostonianinmo

bostonianinmo — Fri, 29 May 2009 16:05:29 +0000

Actually, that is a criminal act — converting a security interest. It’s a form of theft and you can be prosecuted for it. While the chances of being caught may be slim you do need to be aware of it.

By: worldstiti

worldstiti — Tue, 26 May 2009 17:08:00 +0000

yes it can cause a problem don’t do it

By: Buzz B

Buzz B — Mon, 25 May 2009 06:03:33 +0000

I wouldn’t feel as guilty if I replaced “his” with yours…

so when you take his doors, put your old ones in as replacements…

since he still owns it right now they are his, and you wouldn’t be leaving his house without.

By: lillian

lillian — Fri, 22 May 2009 16:56:43 +0000

Does he have any nice light fixtures to go with the doors? And what about the kitchen cabinets are they newer than yours? The doors belong to the bank/mortgage company they are affixed to the property.