Marketable title and merger — MCQs

An owner purchased a wooded parcel that has no direct access to a public road. For the past six months, the owner has reached the parcel by using a trail across land owned by a friend, but the friend may revoke that permission at any time. A different neighbor owns land lying between the parcel and the nearest public road. The owner's deed does not mention an easement across either property. The owner asks whether an easement by necessity may exist across the neighbor's land. The title documents currently available do not show whether the two parcels were previously held by the same person or when the alleged lack of access arose. Before advising the owner, which fact would be most important for the lawyer to investigate?

Using only the supplied client file and legal resources, draft an internal case-assessment memorandum to the supervising partner concerning the prior mortgage now asserted against the residence. Explain which deed covenants are implicated, address Seller's anticipated argument that no claim exists until foreclosure, request concrete cure measures, and preserve the purchaser's position without overstating current damages. The client wants to keep the residence and avoid foreclosure rather than rescind the completed sale. Do not assert causes of action or remedies not supported by the supplied materials.

Using only the supplied client file and legal resources, prepare an advisory letter evaluating whether Jordan must close, whether the identified title matters make title unmarketable, and which remedy or negotiation strategy best advances Jordan's stated objectives.

Using only the supplied file and legal resources, prepare an objective memorandum assessing whether the buyer may terminate the land-sale contract because of the zoning restriction and roof damage. Address the seller's counterarguments, available remedies, and the most appropriate next step.

Three friends acquired a lake house under a deed conveying the property “to Alex, Blair, and Casey as joint tenants with right of survivorship.” Several years later, Alex executed and delivered a valid deed conveying Alex's entire interest to Dana. Blair and Casey neither consented to nor learned of the conveyance until after delivery. Alex then died. Dana asks a lawyer whether Alex's death caused Dana's interest to pass to Blair and Casey by survivorship. No agreement restricts any owner's power to transfer an interest. Which of the following best states the parties' ownership interests after Alex's death?