Every day, we see mistakes in land records that can have real consequences for owners and lenders. An improperly created easement could cost a small business owner their access point. An undetected credit line deed of trust from a prior owner could cost a lender their lien position. A fraudulent deed could cost a homeowner their largest lifetime … Continue reading A Country Without Title Insurance
The Claims Corner: Revenge Equity Theft, Safeguards to Avoid a Potentially Costly Policy Loss
This article concerns a business partner’s theft of the equity in the limited liability company’s real property and business assets, following a dispute over the partners’ profit-sharing provision, by falsifying documents to represent he had authority to mortgage the LLC’s realty. While claims such as these are not uncommon and can result in expense and … Continue reading The Claims Corner: Revenge Equity Theft, Safeguards to Avoid a Potentially Costly Policy Loss
Judgments and Trusts
Trusts governed by the Virginia Uniform Trust Code (Va. Code § 64.2-700 et seq) are the most common form of trust arrangement found in the land records. Such a trust may be created when real property is transferred to another person as trustee, either by deed during the settlor’s lifetime or pursuant to a will … Continue reading Judgments and Trusts
Memorials – Judy Gregory and Allison Mills
On January 12th, Allison Mills shared the sad news of the passing of Judy Gregory. Less than a month later, the news that Ally had passed as well stunned everyone who knew them. In the years before webinars, I met Judy at one of the underwriter events where we weren't competitors, but industry colleagues. I … Continue reading Memorials – Judy Gregory and Allison Mills
Can You See Me Now? The Corporate Transparency Act
Title professionals are no strangers to the difficulties in getting to the bottom of ownership issues for those operating a business through opaque entities. Peeling back the layers is often required to get to the ultimate owner. The anonymity provided is important to some companies as a means of legally doing business. However, these same … Continue reading Can You See Me Now? The Corporate Transparency Act
VLTA Spring 2024 President’s Message
The weather is getting warmer, the grass is growing, and we adjusted our clocks so that means Spring is on the way! That also means that this year’s session of the General Assembly (GA) is wrapping up. If you did not participate in the VLTA’s Lobby Day in February, you missed a great opportunity to check out … Continue reading VLTA Spring 2024 President’s Message
TUTE Spring 2024
The Unknown Title Examiner TUTE departs from the usual dive into the land records to discuss what is in this electronic age an all-too-frequent occurrence of fraud in the marketplace. “Hello, Ms. Jetson? My name is Spacely and I own a lot in Bedrock subdivision. I see from your credentials that you list and sell … Continue reading TUTE Spring 2024
2024 Virginia General Assembly Legislative Wrap-Up
Virginia Land Title Association End of Session Report 12 March, 2024 The General Assembly adjourned “sine die” on March 9th. Adjournment on time and with a budget had been a goal of the new democratic leadership since the beginning of session. Even though there were some 11th hour difficulties we did manage to accomplish both. This session began … Continue reading 2024 Virginia General Assembly Legislative Wrap-Up
Spring 2024 Puzzle
Instructions. Complete the word search below.
Ramblings of a Title Man
Flash-back to 1994 A title agent asked me: “How should we think of the market in 2022?” My answer was: “Like it’s 1994.” What happened in 1994 can be extremely telling to how we plan for the rest of this year. In 1994, economic conditions were becoming difficult. Inflation had grown from nearly nothing in … Continue reading Ramblings of a Title Man
What’s New With ALTA – Spring 2024
ALTA Advocacy Summit May 6-8, 2024 Washington DC ALTA Policy Forms UpdateThe ALTA Board of Governors on Feb. 9 approved a recommendation to adopt revisions to the 2021 ALTA Forms Collection, as well as the approval of two new Collateral Assignment endorsements... U.S. District Judge Rules Corporate Transparency Act Is UnconstitutionalA federal district judge in … Continue reading What’s New With ALTA – Spring 2024
Celebrating 50 Years: VLTA Marks a Milestone
As VLTA proudly reaches its 50th anniversary, we reflect on the remarkable journey that has shaped this distinguished association into a beacon of excellence in the industry. Over the past half-century, VLTA has played a pivotal role in fostering collaboration, innovation, and growth within the land title profession. This golden milestone is not just a … Continue reading Celebrating 50 Years: VLTA Marks a Milestone
Virginia Land Title Association Committees
The Virginia Land Title Association – “IT STARTS WITH YOU” Did you know that YOU can help run the Virginia Land Title Association? In addition to the Executive Director and the Board of Directors, VLTA has Five Committees that need YOUR help! Committee meetings are held monthly at vlta.tradewing.com. These Committees meet monthly to further … Continue reading Virginia Land Title Association Committees
Access to Deeds and Land Records in Virginia: A Thirty-Year Perspective Part 2 – Digital Conversion is a Game Changer
Read Access to Deeds and Land Records in Virginia Part 1 – The Ghost of Title Search Past here. In my previous article in December 2023, I shared a glimpse from the past related to how individuals and businesses involved in the title industry conducted title searches by visiting 120 records rooms in the offices … Continue reading Access to Deeds and Land Records in Virginia: A Thirty-Year Perspective Part 2 – Digital Conversion is a Game Changer