Overwhelmed by the intimidating amount of details involved in real estate transactions? Concerned that hidden issues may arise? This practical review will teach you everything you need to know about real estate titles - from how to conduct a reliable title search to overcoming encumbrances such as liens, easements and condemnations. Learn to use insurance to protect against title defects and effectively take action if title insurance litigation arises from your real estate deal. Order today!

1. The Anatomy of a Real Estate Title
2. Title Insurance - A Comprehensive Look into the World of Title Insurance Today
3. Ethical Considerations
4. Confidently Handling Title Insurance Claims and Litigation

Continuing Education Credits:   

* denotes specialty credits

1. THE ANATOMY OF A REAL ESTATE TITLE
   9:00 - 10:15 and 10:30 - 11:30, Jon T. Anderson
   1. Conducting a Title Search - Where to Look and What to Look For
      1. Court Decrees
      2. Probate
      3. Mortgage Foreclosures
   2. Understanding the Liens That Can Affect the Title
      1. Municipal Liens and Tax Sales
      2. Mortgages, Deeds of Trust and Financing Liens
      3. Federal and State Tax Liens
      4. Judgment or Property Tax Liens
      5. Liens Imposed as a Result of Environmental Laws
   3. What to Look for in Surveys, Descriptions and Plats
   4. Analyzing Easements, Restrictions, Rights of Way, Condemnations
   5. Addressing Authority/Capacity Issues (Validity of Record Title Instruments)
      1. Partnerships, Corporations, Limited Liability Entities
      2. Minors
      3. Trusts
      4. Powers of Attorney
      5. Formalities (Notary, Author, Value Affidavit Blocks)
2. TITLE INSURANCE - A COMPREHENSIVE LOOK INTO THE WORLD OF TITLE INSURANCE TODAY
   12:30 - 2:15, Richard J. Fox
   1. Basic Principles of Title Insurance
   2. Mortgage and Owners' Policies as They Relate to Underwriting
   3. The Expanding Role of Insurance as a Practitioner's Tool
   4. The Title Industry in Our State Today
   5. Examination of the Title Policy
   6. How to Handle Title Defects
   7. Use of Title Insurance in the Real Estate Transaction
   8. How to Work With the Title Insurance Company on Special Issues
      1. Additional Coverages and Standard Endorsements
      2. Special Endorsements
      3. Obtaining Waivers to Some Title Exceptions
   9. Review of Policy Forms and Changes
3. ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS
   2:30 - 3:30, Richard J. Fox
   1. Calculating Attorneys' Fees
   2. Unauthorized Practice/Paraprofessionals
   3. Avoiding Conflicts of Interest - Multiple Representation
   4. What You Should Know About Solicitation/Advertising Issues
   5. Disclosure of Defects in Property - Your Obligations
   6. Escrow, Closing and Post Closing Procedures
4. CONFIDENTLY HANDLING TITLE INSURANCE CLAIMS AND LITIGATION
   3:30 - 4:30, Jon T. Anderson
   1. How to Submit a Claim
   2. Ways to Deny a Claim
   3. Steps to Follow When Trying the Lawsuit
   4. Current Developments in Title Insurance Litigation

JON T. ANDERSON is a partner at Burak Anderson & Melloni, PLC, a law firm that is based primarily in Burlington. Prior to joining Burak Anderson & Melloni, PLC, he served as special counsel to the Vermont Department of Public Service. He practices in several areas in which he can use his engineering background and problem solving approach to serve clients. These areas include complex real estate projects and transactions; litigation (especially over technical issues such as superfund liability, valuation of complex property and real and personal property tax appeals involving sophisticated analysis); administrative law (including defense of environmental enforcement actions); utility regulation; environmental law; solid waste disposal (including permitting and siting); land use (including Vermont's Act 250); and zoning. He regularly lectures at seminars on environmental and land use law issues and publishes widely in this field, including the "Planning and Zoning" chapter of the Vermont Bar Association's Environmental Law Practice Manual, and recently co-wrote "Law and Land Use Development in Vermont." Mr. Anderson earned his B.S.Ch.E. degree in chemical engineering, with highest distinction, from Worcester Polytechnic Institute and his J.D. degree from Yale Law School. He is the chairman of the Montpelier Travel Information Council, former chairman of the Vermont Bar Association's Environmental Law Committee, served as a member of the Montpelier Planning Commission and the Central Vermont Regional Planning Commission, and is a member of the Montpelier Downtown Community Association. Mr. Anderson served in the Vermont House from 2007-2009 as a member of the Fish, Wildlife and Water Resources Committee and currently serves as the J.A.G. Officer of the Vermont Guard.

RICHARD J. FOX is an attorney with the Law Office of Richard J. Fox PLLC, where his practice focuses on real estate, landlord/tenant, construction law and civil litigation. As legal counsel for the real estate department, he performs real estate transactions, including title searches and closings. As title insurance agent, Mr. Fox reviews title opinions and issues title insurance policies. He acts as counsel to multiple small businesses, with duties including contract drafting and negotiation, transactional work, corporate filings and compliance issues. His previous seminars include presentations on title issues and title insurance in Vermont and Massachusetts real estate and construction law issues. Mr. Fox is admitted to practice in Vermont, Massachusetts, and before the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts. He is a member of the Vermont Bar Association and is an agent for Chicago Title Insurance Company. Mr. Fox earned his B.A. degree from Rutgers College and his J.D. degree from The George Washington University Law School.

Please refer to Continuing Education Credit FAQ for general information about seeking credit for your participation in one of our continuing education programs.

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Phone: 866-240-1890

Email: credit@nbi-sems.com