Register of Deeds Blasts Crooks Who Steal Homes Out From Under Owners’ Funerals

The Register of Deeds of Shelby County, Tennessee recently took to a live television newscast to warn the public about scammers scouring funeral listings and obituaries. They’re looking for dead people whose homes they can steal.

They forge deeds. They record bogus title transfers.

Once they have control over their ill-gotten homes, criminals sell them, borrow against them, rent them out, and evict rightful owners.  

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Warning: When Not to Sign Over Your Deed

Transferring the deed to your home is a simple matter. Generally, you just have to find the current deed to your home, then get the right deed form to write up your new deed to convey to another party, and take the document to a notary. Then your signature can be notarized and the deed can be filed.

But it’s best not to rush in. Some homeowners later regret signing over their deeds.

Let’s look at reasons not to transfer deeds too quickly — and how best to proceed when you do.

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Quitclaim Deeds and Continuation of Title Insurance

Provided by Matthew A. Quick, Esq., an attorney licensed in the state of Illinois.

Title insurance coverage is dictated by the terms of the policy issued by the title insurance company. In most, if not all, policies for title insurance there is a provision for “Continuation of Coverage” or “Continuation of Insurance.” Typically, this provision provides that the insurance will continue only so long as the insured holds an interest in the land or has liability by reason of warranties given in any transfer of the title.

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