I purchased an of desert property from my brother in early 2002, and recorded it with San Bernardino County, California. Shortly thereafter, my brother asked me to sell the property to his niece. I agreed. I completed a QC Deed transferring the property to the niece in late 2002. However, she never paid me or my brother as she agreed to do, and never recorded the QC Deed. I wrote to her and asked her for the money and expressed our disappointment since I continued to be liable for the taxes. The letter was returned as Undeliverable-Address Unknown. In 2004, I prepared a new QC Deed, added my son to the ownership along with myself, and again filed it with San Bernardino County, California. Last year, 2006, the niece filed the 2002 QC Deed in San Bernardino County. The County took my name off the property, left my son's name on and added the niece's name. I wrote to the San Bernardino County Assessor, who advised that I contact the District Attorney since I thought something fraudulent may have occurred. Am I correct in believing that since the niece did not record the 2002 QC Deed that I retained ownership when I prepared a new QC Deed adding my son in 2004?
Don Fici

