What does a quiet title action mean for me as a property owner?

It seeks a court declaration of who holds legal title; if you don't respond, you risk losing your claim.

How long do I have to respond to this notice?

You have 45 days from April 30, 2026 to file an answer or otherwise appear in court.

Who is the plaintiff and how can I contact their attorney?

Plaintiff: Equity Trust Company custodian FBO Richard Michael Franco IRA; attorney Richard A. Gartner at The Gartner Law Firm, (636) 397-2111, Richard.gartner@gartnerlawfirm.com.

Court Notice — 638 Apache Dr., Portage Des Sioux, MO (2511-CC01277)

Official courthouse record · Indexed in NoticeRegistry archive · AI-enriched for research

Quiet title

Affects:DefendantsProperty BuyersHeirs

Equity Trust Company filed a quiet title lawsuit regarding the property at 638 Apache Dr., Portage Des Sioux, MO. Defendants Ronald and Katherine Steinbruegge (and unknown John/Jane Does) must respond within 45 days of April 30, 2026 or risk a default judgment.

Key Takeaways

Quiet title suit affects 638 Apache Dr., Portage Des Sioux
Defendants have 45 days from April 30, 2026 to respond
Default judgment will be entered if no answer is filed
Plaintiff represented by The Gartner Law Firm

Deadline · Response Deadline

April 30, 4530

Pro users tracking court notice like this were alerted the second it filed. Never miss a deadline

Published

May 21, 2026 · today

What to do next

1
Contact an attorney immediately
Call a real property attorney before the 45-day deadline (by June 14, 2026) to discuss filing an answer or defenses.
2
File an answer with the court
Prepare and file a written answer in the 11th Judicial Circuit Court, St. Charles County before the 45-day deadline to avoid default.
3
Verify property records
Review St. Charles County land records (Plat Book 7, Page 14) for Lot 13, Block 6, Alton Lake Estates No. 2 to confirm ownership details.

Frequently asked questions

What does a quiet title action mean for me as a property owner?: It seeks a court declaration of who holds legal title; if you don't respond, you risk losing your claim.
How long do I have to respond to this notice?: You have 45 days from April 30, 2026 to file an answer or otherwise appear in court.
Who is the plaintiff and how can I contact their attorney?: Plaintiff: Equity Trust Company custodian FBO Richard Michael Franco IRA; attorney Richard A. Gartner at The Gartner Law Firm, (636) 397-2111, Richard.gartner@gartnerlawfirm.com.

The suggestions and answers above are AI-generated for general information only. They can be wrong, and we don't take responsibility for their accuracy. Talk to a qualified professional before acting on them.

Legal terms in this notice

Quiet title: A lawsuit asking the court to decide who legally owns a property and remove competing claims.
Service by publication: Notifying a defendant of a lawsuit by publishing notice in a newspaper when their address is unknown.
Default judgment: A court ruling in favor of the plaintiff because the defendant failed to respond or appear.

Full Notice Text

IN THE 11th JUDICIAL CIRCUIT COURT, ST CHARLES COUNTY, MISSOURIPlaintiff/Petitioner: EQUITY TRUST COMPANY CUSTODIAN FBO RICHARD MICHAEL FRANCO IRA vs. RONALD E. STEINBRUEGGE, KATHERINE A. STEINBRUEGGE, John Doe and Jane Doe Defendant/Respondent
Case Number: 2511-CC01277
Judge or Division: 1
Nature of Suit: QUIET TITLENotice Upon Order for Service by PublicationThe State of Missouri to: RONALD E. STEINBRUEGGE, KATHERINE A. STEINBRUEGGE, John Doe and Jane Doe, Current addresses unknown, prior address 638 Apache Dr., Portage Des Sioux, MO 63373
You are notified that an action has been commenced against you in the Circuit Court of St. Charles (County), Missouri, the
object and general nature of which is Quiet Title to the property known and numbered as 638 Apache Dr, Portage Des Sioux, M0, and which affects the following described property: All of Lot 13, Block 6 of ALTON LAKE ESTATES NO. 2, a subdivision in St. Charles County, Missouri, as per plat thereof recorded in Plat Book 7, Page 14 of the St. Charles
County Records. Commonly known and numbered as 638 Apache Dr, Portage Des Sioux, MO
The names of all parties in this action are stated in the caption above and the name(s) and address(es) of the attorney(s) for the plaintiff/petitioner(s) are The Gartner Law Firm, Richard A. Gartner, Attorney for Plaintiff, 220 Salt Lick Road, St. Peters, MO 63376, Telephone: (636) 397-2111, Facsimile: (636) 397-7626, Email: Richard.gartner@gartnerlawfirm.com
You are further notified that, unless you file an answer or other pleading or otherwise appear and defend against this action within 45 days after 4-30-2026 judgment by default will be entered against you.
(Seal)
Clerk
/S/ CHERYL CROWDER
4158230 St. Charles Apr. 30, 2026