Title records help validate individuals’ claims of real property ownership. The county recorder’s office updates records when new owners submit deeds. The records maintained by the state affirm who owns the property and even validate its legal description that details the boundaries of the parcel.
County records typically also include information about liens placed against real property and easements granting third parties access to the property. Those records protect the owner and outside parties that may have an interest in their real property.
Occasionally, homeowners may face title disputes or may be aware of inaccurate information in county title records. In such scenarios, they may want to consider initiating quiet title proceedings in the civil courts.
A pending sale listing
Listing real property for sale is a lengthy process. Property owners have to fill out paperwork disclosing issues with their property, stage their homes and make the house as appealing as possible to prospective buyers.
They may also need to address potential issues with the title that could delay the closing or prevent the buyer from acquiring a title insurance policy. Initiating quiet title proceedings to remove old owners, terminate unnecessary easements or correct records regarding liens can facilitate a smoother closing after listing the property for sale.
A title dispute
Perhaps real property sold as part of estate administration after the prior owner died. Maybe a divorce resulted in one spouse acquiring the property while the other refused to sign a deed giving up their interest in the property.
When there are significant title disputes that could impact ownership rights, quiet title proceedings may be necessary to settle the issue. A judge can validate who should hold title and can order the correction of title records to accurately reflect who currently owns the property. Anytime homeowners are aware of potentially inaccurate title records, they may need the support of a judge to update county records.
Learning more about how civil court proceedings can protect real estate holdings can be beneficial for those facing controversy or preparing to list a property for sale. Property owners can ask a civil court judge to review and correct title issues that could affect their ownership or impact an upcoming transaction.