A Georgia couple is embroiled in a heartbreaking legal battle after their longtime family home was sold at auction for $500,000 — allegedly without their knowledge or consent.
James and Lucretia Klucken say the nightmare began with an alleged forged signature and ended with their eviction.
A Home Passed Down — and Then Stolen
The Walton County home had been in James Klucken’s family for generations. After his grandmother passed away, James was made power of attorney over the three-bedroom, three-bathroom property valued at $507,500, the Daily Mail reports.
In 2019, the couple began receiving letters about a $50,000 reverse mortgage debt attached to the home. James believes his elderly grandmother was tricked into the arrangement before her death.
“This is the only place I’ve ever called home,” James told WSB-TV.
“Something Was Off”
Alarm bells rang when James noticed irregularities in the property paperwork. Upon investigation, the Kluckens discovered that both his and his grandmother’s signatures had been forged on the home’s warranty deed, effectively transferring ownership without their knowledge.
A handwriting expert hired by the couple confirmed the signature on the deed did not match James’. “It started as us trying to save our home and it ended in us losing it over forged documents,” said James.
“All of the forgery and signatures were stamped on September 23, 2017,” he said. “None of this could’ve happened unless someone in authority stamped the paperwork and pushed it through.”
James' wife, Lucretia Hughes-Klucken, said of the situation: “It’s heart-wrenching.”
Sheriff's Office Says It's "Civil," Not Criminal
The Kluckens reported the forgery to the Walton County Sheriff's Office, but investigators ultimately concluded it was a civil matter. Meanwhile, the home went into foreclosure.
Despite warnings from the Kluckens and the alleged forgery, the mortgage company moved ahead with the sale. The house was auctioned off and purchased by Maverick Land Company LLC.
Controversial Court Hearing Raises Eyebrows
During a subsequent court hearing, the Kluckens claim that the closing attorney who notarized the allegedly forged deed attended but never testified under oath. They say she was allowed to leave court without offering any statement.
“These are people we don’t know and have never met,” Lucretia said of the individuals listed on the paperwork. “I just want my home back.”
A $300K Settlement Rejected
The Kluckens allege that Maverick Land Company was aware of the forgery claim before purchasing the property. According to them, the company even offered over $300,000 to settle the matter outside of court — but James refused.
“We want to die in this house. We want to give it to our children. We want to keep it in the family,” Lucretia said.
Instead, the couple filed a civil lawsuit against Maverick and the mortgage company.
A Push for Legal Reform
The case underscores a broader issue of property fraud in Georgia. The entire ordeal happened before a new state law took effect requiring ID verification for property deed changes.
Starting January 1, 2025, Georgia residents must upload a photo of their ID to file real estate documents, under rules introduced by the Georgia Superior Court Clerks’ Cooperative Authority.
The Kluckens believe this law might have saved them. “This is more than just a property battle,” James wrote on a fundraising page. “It’s about justice, honesty, and protecting the elderly from such heartless theft.”
A Legal Battle Fueled by Community Support
The couple has launched a fundraiser to help with legal expenses. At the time of writing, they’ve raised $5,120 toward a $10,000 goal.
“For four long years, we have been in a legal battle—living off beans on toast (well, maybe not beans on toast; Lucretia has her standards!),” the couple wrote on their campaign page. “We finally found an amazing real estate litigator who believes in our case and is ready to take it up against the perpetrators.”
They remain steadfast in their fight: “If you’ve felt touched by our story or just want to see a little goodness win against greed, please share our campaign. Even $5 can add up when hearts are united in kindness.”
Their final plea? “Let’s rise above fraud and make sure that no one else loses their home—or dignity—to heartless acts of deceit ever again.”