What is a Title Search?

Lawyers Signature Settlements examines all recorded documents in order to determine if there are any rights or claims that may have an impact upon the title to the property. The title search may reveal the existence of recorded defects, liens or encumbrances upon the title such as unpaid taxes, unsatisfied mortgages, judgments and tax liens against the current or past owners, easements, restrictions and court actions. These recorded defects, liens and encumbrances are reported to you prior to your purchase of the property. Once reported, LSS makes sure that these matters can be accepted, resolved or extinguished prior to the closing of the transaction. In addition, you are protected against any loss or damage resulting from recorded defects, liens or encumbrances upon the title that are unreported to you and which are within the scope of coverage of the particular policy issued in the transaction.

Which Title Insurance Underwriters Do We Work With?

In addition to a strong team of title professionals, we choose to work with two underwriters to provide your title insurance.

These are two of the strongest title underwriters in the nation.  Having two underwriters allows us to provide flexibility when closing your transactions.

Why do you need title insurance?

In the tragic event of a fire, your home and any other structures such as a deck or a shed, could be lost.  Your homeowner’s insurance will cover your costs to rebuild any of these lost structures.

On the other hand, a defective title may take away not only the house, but also the land and your ownership rights to the property.

Owner’s title insurance will protect your ownership of your property in the event that:

  • A deed or mortgage in the chain of title may be a forgery.
  • A deed or a mortgage may have been signed by a person under age.
  • A deed or a mortgage may have been made by an mentally impaired person or someone incompetent to make financial decisions.
  • A deed or a mortgage may have been made under a power of attorney that was defective.
  • A deed or a mortgage may have been made by a person other than the owner, but with the same name as the owner.
  • The testator of a will might have had a child born after the execution of the will, a fact that could entitle the child to claim his or her share of the property.
  • A deed or mortgage may have been procured by fraud or duress.
  • Title transferred by an heir may be subject to a federal estate tax lien.
  • An heir or other person presumed dead may appear and try to recover the property or an interest therein.
  • A judgment or levy upon which the title is dependent may be void or voidable on account of some defect in the proceeding.
  • Title insurance covers attorneys’ fees and court costs.
  • Title insurance helps speed negotiations when you’re ready to sell or obtain a loan.
  • By insuring the title, you can eliminate delays and technicalities when passing your title on to someone else.
  • Title insurance reimburses you for the amount of your covered losses.
  • A deed or mortgage may be voidable because it was signed while the grantor was in bankruptcy.
  • Each title insurance policy we write is paid up, in full, by the first premium for as long as you or your heirs own the property.
  • There may be a defect in the recording of a document upon which your title is dependent.
  • Claims constantly arise due to marital status and validity of divorces. Only title insurance protects against claims made by non-existent or divorced “wives” or “husbands.”
  • Many lawyers, in giving an opinion on a title, protect their clients as well as themselves, by procuring title insurance.

Over the last 24 years, claims have risen dramatically.

What documents do you need for your real estate settlement?

  • Certified check

  • Copy of driver’s license and second form of I.D. such as a social security card, passport, company photo i.d. and/or credit card.

  • Copy of homeowner’s insurance policy

  • Make arrangements to transfer utilities

  • Bring original certificates for inspection ie, termite, well, and/or septic

How Can I Apply for the Homestead Tax Credit?

Homestead Tax Credit Application Website <—— To submit your request online,

Homestead Tax Credit Application Download <—— To download the application to submit via mail