This situation is not uncommon but I don't think I have an easy answer for you. Once his name is placed on the deed, he is an owner just as much as you are. It does not matter whether he received it as a gift or from whom. He is under no obligation to return it to you or your parents unless there is a written agreement to that effect. You can either offer to purchase his interest in the property from him or it can be divided between the two of you during the equitable distribution claim in a divorce proceeding. I agree that he may have a "moral" obligation to return the property but sadly that does not carry with it an legal obligaton to do so. So sorry.
Answered on Jun 28th, 2015 at 5:06 AM