Can’t Find Abstract

- - Home

Expert, localized Los Angeles answers provided by Heather Roy

	Can't Find Abstract
		To Edith Lank: My parents built a house in 1956. When they passed away the residence was left to my sister and myself. I signed my interest in the property over to my sister who lived there. She passed away last year and I am the sole survivor. The will was probated and the lawyer has nearly finished closing the estate. The deed will be in my name. There are no liens on the property. The mortgage was paid off in the mid seventies. The problem is that I have not found the abstract of title for the property. I went through all my sister’s papers and my parents’ with no success. Years ago when I purchased my first home I believe the bank or the lawyer retained possession of an abstract and produced it when I paid off the mortgage or sold the property (I can’t recall, it was so long ago.) I know I will need the abstract if I desire to sell this property. Any suggestions you might have would certainly be appreciated (where I might look?)

		You can just relax. The buyer of that house, or the buyer’s mortgage lender, or a title company, will almost certainly want to see a new title search. It will show all transactions involving ownership and liens against the property going back a certain number of years, and up to the present. The old abstract, while always interesting to read, would not satisfy the needs of a current lender. Even if you had it, you’d still need to pay to bring that old one up to date.
		Edith Originally published on November 6, 2006

		Back to Summary	< Previous \| Next >


SEARCH: Search for questions about Mortgage, Finance & Taxes