Voluntary Alienation
The definition of voluntary alienation in real estate is the transfer of the residency rights or deed of a property between two parties without the use of extraneous legal measures. Unlike involuntary alienation, when voluntary alienation occurs, it usually does so peacefully, without contention between the interested parties; hence the distinction between the two.
Due to the wide breadth of this term, many actions in real estate can carry this moniker. A home sale, a relocation upon the termination of a rent contract, and gifting of property to a friend or relative all can be defined as voluntary alienation. To better understand the term, let’s look at an example of voluntary alienation in real estate.
Example of Voluntary Alienation in Real Estate
Axel is a middle-aged family man working in middle management at an insurance firm. In the sixteen years since he married his high school sweetheart, Axel has had two kids, worked his way up several rungs of the corporate ladder and now owns a respectable bungalow in a nice, quiet suburb.
However all is not well here; over the years, the emotional distance between Axel and his wife has grown, and they have become less and less functional as both parents and partners. One night, their relationship reaches its tipping point. While laying in bed watching TV, Axel and his wife turn to one another, and simultaneously blurt out: “I want a divorce”.
In order to spare their children the turmoil that accompanies a rough and messy divorce, the pair agree on a no-contest parting arrangement. Axel will take 50 percent of their assets and move to a smaller, more affordable dwelling place in the city, and his wife and the children will remain at the house in which they currently reside.
As the deed is in Axel’s name, he will need to voluntarily alienate himself from the property, transferring ownership of it to his wife and putting the deed in her name.
Popular Real Estate Terms
Right to property depends on some occurrence. ...
Easement with the objective of keeping scenic beauty or to forbid constructing something else blocking that view. The property is retained in its natural setting. ...
Correcting depreciation by making improvements at less cost than the value added. For example, the management of an aging strip shopping center makes a decision to refurbish the windows and ...
Representative house, apartment, or cooperative used as a sales tool to show how the actual unit bought will probably appear in design and construction. An example is a model apartment. ...
Property owned and held jointly and equally shared by each spouse. It is purchased during their marriage, regardless of the wage-earning situation of either spouse. A spouse may not make a ...
When you sign a Listing Agreement with a real estate broker or agent, he or she has a fiduciary responsibility to represent your interests exclusively. However, should another client ...
Two or more people have a legal duty that can be enforced against them by joint action, against all members, and against themselves as individuals. For example, a bank can require repayment ...
Property highly leveraged. An example is when a landlord buys an apartment house paying minimum cash payment down and the balance on mortgage. ...
Early American style 1 story house with a steep gable roof covered with shingles. The bedrooms are on the first floor, but the attic is often finished and made into additional bedrooms. ...

Have a question or comment?
We're here to help.