Steve and Bob own real property as joint tenants with right of survivorship.Steve decided that he wanted to own the entire property himself,so he killed Bob.Due to a technicality,Steve was acquitted of any criminal charges.Nevertheless,Bob's heirs brought a civil suit against Steve.What would be the result,if the court accepts that Steve obtained the property illegally? Explain.

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Kalena Hughes · Accepted Answer

Final Answer : Very likely,a court would impose a constructive trust over Bob's portion of the property in favor of Bob's heirs.A constructive trust forms when one party fraudulently or illegally obtains possession of property.It forms in order to avoid injustice or unjust enrichment.The outcome of the criminal case is of no relevance to the civil case,in part because of different burdens and elements of proof.

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