We are getting my mother-in-law home in order and recently discovered that when she purchased the house back in 1962 the real estate transfe...

Question

We are getting my mother-in-law home in order and recently discovered that when she purchased the house back in 1962 the real estate transfer was never actually recorded at the courthouse . The only thing that she has was the actual deed from the people she purchased it from when the previous owner's bought it back in 1947 (which is in her possesion yet). She currently has a mortgage on the home and before we can re-finance it we want this straightened out. We did find the record of a (power A Sat) located in the archives at the courthouse concerning the purchase but it has no property shown. It seems that there was a power of attorney concerning the previous owners and his name is listed on this form as a grantee,but his name is also recorded as a grantor along with my mother-in-law and now deceased father-in-law names. So we would like to know exactly what this form means and how we can go about getting the deed recorded? Thank you.

Answer

This sounds like a seriously confused situation. You'd better consult a real estate lawyer who could help sort it out. You will probably need a title search, which the lawyer can do or order from a title insurance company.

THIS RESPONSE IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE, SINCE I DO NOT HAVE ALL OF THE INFORMATION THAT WOULD BE REQUIRED, AND I DO NOT HAVE A REPRESENTATION AGREEMENT WITH YOU.

* If the answers to your question confirm that you have a valid issue or worthwhile claim, your next step should almost always be to establish a dialog with a lawyer who can provide specific advice to you. Contact a lawyer in your county or township.

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