We'll tell you what others won't.
Quiet Title
An action to quiet title is a court procedure required to obtain an order from the court confirming that a party has a right to their real estate, free and clear from all other challenges or claims to title. Essentially the legal action ‘quiet’s” property title disputes.
Quiet title actions are very common after a Michigan property tax sale or auction. They’re used to negate any procedural issues about the tax sale, ensuring that the county clerk were done in accordance with Michigan statutes. When property is sold at a tax deed sale, the effect is to eliminate any claim that the prior owner or mortgage holder or lien holder may have to the title. When a successful bidder at a tax deed sale obtains the deed to the property, it should be free and clear of any other liens or encumbrances, except for certain excluded liens for municipalities, etc. Unfortunately, the buyer of the tax deed property does not have “marketable title” unless a quiet title action is performed.
Why is a Quiet Title action important?
If the matter involves a former tax sale, the buyer of a tax deed property cannot obtain title insurance bought at a tax deed sale until a complaint to quiet title action is filed and an court order is issued. Without title insurance, it is difficult to sell or finance the tax deed property. In a standard Michigan real estate transaction, the buyer will insist upon title insurance in order to insure the title to the property for the amount of the purchase price. Likewise, if a successful bidder of a tax deed property wants to refinance the property, a lender institution will require title insurance to insure title for the mortgage.
Sometimes the title issues has nothing to do with a former tax sale. Perhaps there is a defect in the title that requires a final order from the court. The reasons for defects are endless, but the most common are lack of discharge, challenge to boundary lines, challenge to title ownership.
Call David and his legal team to discuss whether a quiet title action is even appropriate for your specific circumstances.
Top 10 Title Problems
Title insurance is important for new homeowners to have because, while the home may be new to you, the property will have an entire history of its own that may be unknown to you. Conducting a thorough title search can help you discover any title defects that may be tied to your newly purchased property. Depending on the title insurance you have, you could be protected from the title problems that arise only after you have closed on the property. Below are the top ten common title problems that may arise in purchasing a property
1. Errors in Public Records: Clerical or filing errors can easily occur. Everyone is human, and everyone makes mistakes. However, these kinds of errors can affect the deed or survey of your property, causing undue financial strain while you try to resolve these mistakes.
2. Unknown Liens: Unless you are purchasing a brand new home, it is likely that someone owned the property before you. The prior owners of your newly purchased property may not have been thorough bookkeepers or bill payers. Even though the former debt on the property is not your own, banks or other financing companies can place liens on your property for unpaid debts even after you have closed on the same. This is a particularly worrisome and burdensome issue with certain distressed properties.
3. Illegal Deeds: Sometimes, the chain of title on your property may appear perfectly sound. However, it is possible that a prior deed was made by an undocumented immigrant, a minor, a person of unsound mind, or one who is reported single but in actuality married. These instances can affect the enforceability of prior deeds, thus affection prior or present ownership.
4. Missing Heirs: When a person passes, the ownership of their home may fall to their heirs or the individuals named in their will. However, these hairs are sometimes unknown or missing at the time of the person’s passing. In other cases, family members may contest the will for their own property rights. These scenarios, which can occur quite a long time after you have purchased the property, may affect your rights to the property.
5. Forgeries: Sometimes, unfortunately, we do not live in a completely perfect and honest world. Therefore, sometimes, a forged or fabricated document that affects property ownership is filed within the public record. This obscures the rightful ownership of the property. We call it “clouding title.” Once these forgeries come to light, your rights to your home may be in jeopardy.
6. Undiscovered Encumbrances: When it comes to owning a home, three is a crowd. At the time of purchasing the property, you may not know that a third party holds a claim to all or part of your property. This could be due to a former mortgage, lien, or non-financial claims like restrictions or covenants limiting the use of your property.
7. Unknown Easements: While you may own your new home and its surrounding land, it is possible that an unknown easement may prohibit you from using the property and land as you would like. It could also allow government agencies, businesses, or other parties to access all or portions of your property. While usually non-financial issues, easements can still affect your right to enjoy your property.
8. Boundary and Survey Disputes: Prior to purchasing the property, you may have reviewed and seen several surveys of the property you intended to purchase. However, it is possible that other surveys exist showing a differing boundary line from the one you observed on the surveys that you reviewed prior to purchasing the property. Therefore, a neighbor or other party may be able to claim ownership to a portion of your property.
9. Undiscovered Wills: When a property owner dies with no apparent will or heir, the state may sell the property owner’s assets. This includes the home. When you purchase such a home, you assume your rights as owner of the property. However, even some years later, the deceased owner’s will may come to light and your rights to the property may be in serious jeopardy.
10: False Impersonation of Previous Owner: Lastly, common and similar names can make it possible to falsely impersonate a property owner. If you purchase a home that was once sold by a false owner, you are at risk of losing your legal claim to the property.
Conclusion
These top ten issues, and others, are often covered by an owner’s policy of title insurance. Therefore, when you decide to purchase a home, make sure you purchase title insurance to protect your rights to the property.
Do You Have A Concern About Quieting Title?
Call Us For Your CONSULTATION
At 888.789.1715 or
Complete This Form.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Top Questions Concerning Quiet Title Actions.
Do you have other questions about quieting title? Get in touch with us today!
What does it mean to have "marketable title?"
Marketable title is held by any person or their successors, free and clear of any and all interests, claims and charges whatsoever. A person does not have marketable title if the property in which the interest exists is in the ‘hostile’ possession of another.
What does it mean to have a "cloud" on title? What can I do about it?
A “cloud” on title is anythinf that can invalidate or impair one’s title to real property or makes the marketability of a title uncertain. There are many things that can impair title such as an old mortgage that has not been discharged or a deed that was improperly signed or states the wrong parties. In order to clear the “cloud,” an action to quiet title needs to be filed in court. Quieting a claim to title is a legal action to establish one’s property rights as superior to all others. A real estate attorney will review your title work, deeds and related surveys, and then file pleadings with a court to make a final determination that “quiets’ any claims that can impair one’s interest in their property.
Where can I find forms to quiet title?
There are no forms to quiet title to real estate. A quiet title action is performed by real estate attorneys. To quiet title is to litigate. If you have the time and experience to litigate a matter, and you are a licensed attorney, then you should feel right at home with the courts. If not, we suggest seeking a competent real estate attorney to assist you in the matter since facts and circumstances are different for each case.
I am trying to refinance a property that is owned jointly with another party. The problem is that I cannot locate theM, but I suspect they would not cooperate with me anyhow. What can I do?
You would need to file a quiet title action absent any cooperation from the joint owner. If a co-owner is not willing to refinance the property, then you will need to convince a judge to order the other party to endorse a deed or other refinancing documents.
What if I have a border dispute and my neighbor does not agree with our property line?
Seek a real estate attorney to first review the survey and then discuss steps for filing suit.
How long does a Quiet title action take?
Generally these legal actions take about 90 days to complete if other parties contest the Plaintiff’s claims. Sometimes, an action can take longer as the law requires that all parties having possible claims to a property, are notified.
Videos
A Word About Quiet Title Actions
Slide Presentations
Free EBook Offer
Obtain Your Free Copy of Soble’s
Real Estate Resource:
“What’s Keeping You Up At Night?
An Attorney’s Practical Approach to Resolving
Real Estate Nightmares”
Now you can reference Soble’s straight forward approach to “real estate nightmares.” Get the no nonsense information you need to put those nagging issues concerning real estate to rest!
“This was incredibility informative. Very easy to understand. I can actually hear you when I am reading it. A great resource.” Nelson Z., Haslett, MI
Why Clients Choose Us
Know the Difference.
Former Big Bank "Insider"
HigHest Peer and Client Ratings
24 Hour Response
30 +Years of Legal & Business Experience
Affordable & Approachable
Innovative & Creative solutions
Legal Issues We Handle
We Reduce Legal Exposure & Financial Risks
Real Estate Law
Real estate and finance law are their own legal specialties. So how do you determine which attorney you should work with...
Contract Law
Contracts regulate expectations between parties. Working without a contract is comparable to walking a high wire without a net.
Business Law
Attorneys having years of both practical business experience as well as legal expertise are rare. David Soble is one of these...
Financial Disputes
David Soble has decades of experience being a 'big bank insider." He and his team are uniquely situated when it comes to handling our clients stressful financial...
Litigation
We regularly and successfully litigate real estate and contract issues. While we prefer to first resolve our client's issues amicably, we can and will escalate....
Estate Planning & Probate
To most people, their home or other types of real estate is usually the most valuable asset that they own. We help our clients protect these assets and ensure that they are properly...
What Happy Clients Say...
Dpn't take our word for it! We;re one of the best reviewed law firms in the community.
See hundreds of our reviews on Google, Avvo, Social Survey and Linked In.
Blog
Our Latest Blog Posts
The Equitable Mortgage: How “Bad Faith” Dealing Can Unwind Your Transaction
Since about 2014, real estate investing and 'flipping' has been a hot and profitable industry. Lots of money can certainly be made; but while there are great deals out there to be had, Michigan law will not tolerate abusive investment tactics at the expense of...
Is a Mortgage Modification Right for You?
These are unusual economic times to say the least. Are you behind in mortgage payments? Is your lender threatening foreclosure actions against you? Waiting on your lender to reach out to you with help is not going to improve your financial situation. ...
The Motion For Reconsideration: What Real Estate Litigants Should Know
If you are an active real estate entrepreneur, there is a high probability that one day, you will be involved in a lawsuit as either a plaintiff or as a defendant. There are many circumstances during the timeline of a lawsuit where a judge will issue an...