You'll need to sit down with a local lawyer, and all of the available paperwork, to figure out if you've got any recourse. A forged deed has no legal effect—the only valid deed for any property must come from the legal owner.If the wife's name is on the deed, the husband cannot legally sell the property. Victims of deed fraud must fill out the relevant paperwork to help them regain their property which can often be done without an attorney. The fact is, they paid for any repairs or issues during that time. Any landlords who claim to have no knowledge of the property are frauds. Upon filing, certain "Automatic Orders" go into effect which prohibit either party from selling or otherwise dissipating a marital asset. If a seller fails to disclose those defects, they may be held liable for the cost of repair. In some cases, a court may even rescind the sale of the property. Selling your Texas home without a realtor?