The days are getting shorter, the leaves are turning, and the air is getting crisper—Spooky Season is upon us! As we enter fall and our thoughts turn to candy apples, costumes, and scary movies, it’s easy to get spooked by the creaks and groans of the house. Could a ghost or goblin be lurking in the shadows? But what if something more sinister is going on, and you need more than just a flashlight and a brave heart? Let’s dive into some real-life cases of things that went bump in the night and their legal aftermath.

The Haunting of the Ackley House

In a famous case out of New York, Stambovsky v. Ackley, a homebuyer found himself in the middle of a spooky situation. Jeffrey Stambovsky purchased a house in Nyack, New York, only to later discover the house had a reputation for being haunted. The seller, Helen Ackley, had publicly shared stories about poltergeists in her home, from shaking beds to phantom footsteps, even claiming she lived with ghosts from the American Revolution. Spooked by the discovery, Stambovsky attempted to rescind his contract. The initial court didn’t grant him relief, but on appeal, the court ruled that, at equity, Stambovsky was entitled to rescission since the haunting wouldn’t have been revealed by a regular home inspection. In a quirky twist, the court playfully concluded that the home was “legally haunted.”

Something Strange in the Neighborhood: The Watcher

In 2014, the Broaddus family moved into what seemed like their dream home in Westfield, New Jersey, but the nightmare began when they started receiving eerie letters from a mysterious figure known only as “The Watcher.” Claiming a generational connection to watching the house, The Watcher’s letters referenced the Broaddus children as “young bloods” and hinted at sinister intentions. As the unsettling letters continued, the family’s attempts to sell the house were met with resistance, ultimately leading them to sell it at a substantial loss. The Broadduses sued the previous owners for allegedly failing to disclose the existence of The Watcher, but the case was dismissed. The 2022 Netflix limited series The Watcher is loosely based on the true story.

Creepin’ it Real

Whether it’s a haunted house or just an unwelcome visitor overstaying their welcome, McGill Law has you covered! Our spooktacular team is here to help you face the unexpected and move forward into a brighter, less haunted future. Call us today at (402) 548-5418 to see how we can help bust your legal ghosts! While McGill Law doesn’t specialize in real estate or haunted house disputes, we’re happy to refer you to trusted colleagues who do.