Recommended
Practices
This
compilation of recommended practices, assembled by The New York
State Land Title Association, Inc., is for use by all title insurers
doing business in New York State. The purpose of this compilation
is to simplify and expedite the title examination and underwriting
process for those seeking title insurance services.
These
practices are suggested guidelines for the disposition of title
problems. Their use is optional, subject to the discretion of individual
insurers.
The
final disposition of particular title problems is based on the evaluation
and requirements established by the underwriting department of the
insuring company.
INDEX
General
Practices
G-1 Building Department Notice of Pendency
G-2 Deed from Fiduciary - Consideration
G-3 Delivery Question
G-4 Expired City of New York Unsafe Building Notice of Pendency
(Lis Pendens)
G-5 Financing Statements UCC-1 (s)
G-6 Guardian - Conveyance By a Guardian -Mental Hygiene Law
G-7 Infants, Incompetents - Deed By
G-8 Limited Partnership
G-9 Merged Mortgage & Fee - See also L&J-6
G-10 Notice of Pendency - Open Mortgage or Mechanic's Lien Discharged
- See also L&J-6
G-11 Notice of Pendency - Unsafe Building Violations (Lis Pendens)
G-12 Publication of Judicial Sales in Five Counties of New York
City or Nassau County in NY Law Journal
G-13 Sheriff's Execution Sales - Prior Judgments
G-14 Stock Replaced by Real Estate
G-15 Tax Sales - Right of Re-Entry
G-16 Tax Titles
Corporations
C-1 Corporate Seal
C-2 Corporation Deed to a Company Officer
C-3 Corporation - Deeds Dated Prior to Incorporation
C-4 Franchise Taxes
C-5 Interlocking Directors of Stockholders
C-6 Old Corporations
Descriptions
and Boundaries
D&B-1 Description - Defect Caused by Change in Street Lines
D&B-2 Description - Variance Between Streets on Filed Map and
in Particular Description
D&B-3 Effect of "Same As" Recital in Deed
D&B-4 Fence Variations
D&B-5 Insuring Gores in Record Title
D&B-6 Party Walls
D&B-7 Reciprocal Driveway Easements
D&B-8 Variation Between Record Description and Tax Map
Estate
Administration and Taxes
E-1 Administrator's Deed - Bond
E-2 Conveyance in Contemplation of Death
E-3 Federal Estate Taxes
E-4 Inheritance by Surviving Spouse
E-5 New York Estate Tax - Death After July 1, 1978
E-6 Posthumous and Afterborn Children
E-7 Power of Sale - Ancillary Letters of Probate
E-8 Probate of Wills
E-9 Proof of Heirship
E-10 Proof of Heirship & Death of Joint Tenant
E-11 Proof of Payment of Legacies
E-12 Public Administrator's Sales
E-13 Public Administrator's Sales – Acting in Fiduciary Capacity
Liens
and Judgments
L&J-1 Federal Tax Liens
L&J-2 Federal Tax Liens Filed Between Date of Mortgage and Recording
L&J-3 Judgments Against Partners
L&J-4 Judgments Entered Between Date of Deed or Mortgage and
Recording
L&J-5 NYC Liens and Judgments Duration
L&J-6 Priority of a Purchase Money Mortgage Over Judgments Against
the Mortgagor
L&J-7 Surety Bond Liens - When Disregarded
Mortgages
and Foreclosure of Mortgages
M-1 Foreclosure
M-2 Foreclosure in Federal Courts
M-3 Foreclosure - Parties - Successors of Deceased Mortgagee
M-4 Assignments of Judgment to United States of America
M-5 Mortgage Satisfaction by Affidavit RPAPL Section 1921
M-6 Release in Lieu of Satisfaction of Mortgage
M-7 Small Ancient Mortgages
M-8 Unrecorded Mortgage
General
Practices
G-1
BUILDING DEPARTMENT NOTICE OF PENDENCY (LIS PENDENS)
A Notice of Pendency to enforce Building Department violations will
be disregarded if a search shows that the violations which are the
subject of the notice of pendency are no longer pending.
G-2
DEED FROM FIDUCIARY - CONSIDERATION
Where a deed from a fiduciary recites only a nominal consideration
no exception as to adequacy of consideration will be raised if the
deed is on record for more than 10 years.
G-3
DELIVERY QUESTION
Where there is a time lapse between the date of a deed and the date
of its recording, no objection will be raised where the deed has
been on record for more than ten (10) years. If the deed has been
on record for ten (10)years or less, the period search in a Surrogate's
office should be completed against the grantor from the date of
the instrument to the date of recording in the county where the
grantor resides and in the county where the property is situated.
If no death was found then the question should be passed unless
the grantee, or some one connected with him, was still in title
and more definite information could therefore be obtained, or unless
the death of the grantor is definitely known.
The question
of delivery should not be raised where the interval between the
date of the deed and the recording date thereof was less than thirty
(30) days unless there was affirmative knowledge of the death of
the grantor prior to recording. Under this 30-day period no Surrogate's
search will be made.
The question of delivery should not be raised where the interval
between the date of the deed and the recording date thereof was
greater than thirty (30) days where the public record evidences
a purchase money mortgage to an institutional lender or the seller(s)
which is dated contemporaneously with the deed.
G-4
EXPIRED CITY OF NEW YORK UNSAFE BUILDING NOTICE OF PENDENCY (LIS
PENDENS)
In
the City of New York, an Unsafe Building Notice of Pendency filed
for more than one year may be passed if:
A.
Within one year from its filing a final judgment has not been entered
in said proceeding directing the demolition of the structure; and
B.
Searches have been made for the period of one year from the date
of filing of the Unsafe Building Notice with nothing found:
1.
against the name of the record owner(s) of the property at the time
of the filing of the Notice of Pendency, or any person or entity
who acquired title to the premises during said year, for money judgments
or warrants docketed in favor of the City of New York Building Department
or Department of Housing Preservation and Development;
2.
against the subject premises for charges fees or expenses posted
in the office of the Department of Buildings related to the Unsafe
Building Notice; and
3.
against the subject premises for Relocation Liens filed by the Commissioner
of Housing Preservation and Development for relocation services
in connection therewith.
G-5
FINANCING STATEMENTS UCC-1 (s)
Financing Statements will be passed where they are on file for more
than five(5) years and there was a change of ownership or there
would be a change on the closing. Where, however, the transaction
was to insure a mortgage and there was to be no change of ownership,
then the Financing Statements will be expected unless they are on
file for more than five (5) years and 30 days and have not been
renewed.
Exception: Financing
Statements are effective until terminated when filed against a cooperative
apartment unit and/or the shares and interest of a leasee under
a proprietary lease of a cooperative corporation.
G-6
GUARDIAN CONVEYANCE BY A GUARDIAN - MENTAL HYGIENE LAW
Note: The entire structure of the Mental Hygiene Law was changed
effective April 1, 1993. Section 77 and 78 which dealt with conservators
and committees was repelled on the same date that Section 81 became
effective.
The persons acting
as conservators or committees may continue to perform under the
existing orders until modified or abrogated by a court. Any other
statutes referring to conservators or committees are deemed to refer
to guardians.
Among
the things which have to be considered:
A.
The courts which have jurisdiction under the new law are:
1. In New York City - the Supreme Court
2. Outside New York City - the County Court
3. The Surrogates Court where a guardian is needed to receive money
or property.
B.
There are provisions for hearings and trials where necessary. The
persons who may be involved include:
1. The affected party.
2. Members of the family.
3. Heirs designated by will.
4. A Court appointed Evaluator.
5. In certain circumstances, a Special Guardian.
The
affected party has the right to have counsel.
The
petitioner has the burden of proof by clear and convincing evidence
of the necessity to appoint a guardian or co-guardians.
The
basic policy of law is to provide for the least restrictive order
possible.
There
is provision for a bond unless waived.
The
appointment of a guardian does not create the presumption that the
incapacitated party is not required to consent to property transfer.
G-7
INFANTS, INCOMPETENTS - DEED BY
Deeds executed by guardians, committees or attorneys in fact in
behalf of their respective wards, incompetents or principals, instead
of in their names by such representatives will not be deemed an
objection to title where the instrument recites the source of authority
for the act and the instruments have been properly indexed on the
record against the respective infant, incompetent or principal.
G-8
LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
When
a limited partnership takes title to real estate, the failure to
commence or to complete the publication required by the Partnership
Law before title passes to the partnership may be disregarded if
the publication is ultimately commenced and completed.
G-9
MERGED MORTGAGE & FEE
A
mortgage may be disregarded where the mortgage and fee title came
into the same ownership of record more than 10 years ago without
any recital of non-merger, where such owner is no longer in title
and where the chain of title subsequent to the original common ownership
of the fee and the mortgage contains no recital of, or reference
to such mortgage. Proof is also to betaken from the last owner that
no demand has been made for payment, that no payment has been made
of principal for interest, and that such last owner has not acknowledged
the debt.
G-10
NOTICE OF PENDENCY - OPEN MORTGAGE OR MECHANIC'S LIEN DISCHARGED
If
(1) a judgment has not been entered, or if entered, was entered
more than six years ago and (2) a receiver has not been appointed,
or if appointed, has been discharged by court order, and (3) the
mortgage or mechanic's lien has been satisfied prior to the pending
transaction, the notice of pendency in an action to foreclose the
mortgage or mechanic's lien will be disregarded.
G-11
NOTICE OF PENDENCY - UNSAFE BUILDING VIOLATION (LIS PENDENS)
On
an unsafe building violation where the violation for which the notice
of pendency was filed is no longer in effect against the building
and title came through an in rem sale through the City of New York
subsequent to such notice of pendency, the notice of pendency will
be deemed merged and will not be deemed an objection of title.
(Note: This standard is not to be followed where there is a conveyance
by the City to any of the parties permitted to acquire title pursuant
to Sec. D17-25.0of the N.Y.C. Administration Code.)
G-12
PUBLICATION OF JUDICIAL SALES IN THE FIVE COUNTIES OF NEW YORK CITY
OR NASSAU COUNTY SALES IN NEW YORK LAW JOURNAL
Where
a Supreme Court Justice in the five counties of New York City or
Nassau County designates the New York Law Journal as a paper for
publication for the judicial sale of property in such county or
where the Surrogate of the five counties of New York City or Nassau
County designates the New York Law Journal as a paper for publication
of notices under the Surrogate's Court Procedure Act for the publication
of Surrogate Court citations, (with the exception of notices under
Section 1801 of the Surrogate's Court Procedure Act) such publication
will be deemed publication in a proper newspaper.
G-13
SHERIFF'S EXECUTION SALES - PRIOR JUDGMENTS
No
objection will be raised to an insured title which has come through
a sheriff's execution sale provided that the judgment under which
the sale was had was obtained by personal service, by actual delivery
to the defendant, there were no other judgment creditors, no other
subordinate liens at the time of the execution sale, that the owner
at the time of the execution sale was the debtor, and the execution
sale has been properly brought and the purchaser under such sale
or his successor in title is in possession.
G-14
STOCK REPLACED BY REAL ESTATE
When
a custodian or general guardian holds stock in a corporation for
the benefit of an infant and the corporation in liquidation conveys
to the custodian or guardian an interest in real property represented
by his proportionate share, the custodian or guardian can sell such
real estate interest without securing a court order to sell. The
same rule is applicable where an administrator or executor of an
estate holds stock in a corporation which is liquidated and an interest
in real estate replaces stock in the hands of the administrator
or executor.
G-15
TAX SALES - RIGHT OF RE-ENTRY
In
a title made through a tax sale or through a foreclosure of a tax
lien, by an In Rem Proceeding or otherwise, a right of re-entry
created 10 years prior to such tax proceeding will be passed even
though the taxes in question accrued subsequent to the instrument
reserving the right of re-entry and even though the right of re-entry
was reserved as a means of enforcing the restrictive covenants.
However, the restrictive covenants, as distinguished from the right
of re-entry, will not be disregarded.
G-16
TAX TITLES
When
title to property is made through a recorded tax deed properly describing
the property under examination, and ten years have elapsed since
the recording of such deed, the title will be insured without requirement
of an action to perfect the tax title, unless it is established
that the tax for the year which resulted in the sale was paid before
the sale either directly or under another assessment for the same
tax.
Corporations
C-1
CORPORATE SEAL
A
corporate instrument may be passed where no corporate seal was affixed.
C-2
CORPORATION DEED TO A COMPANY OFFICER
A
deed from a corporation to a grantee who from the record, appears
to be an officer, director or stockholder of the grantor corporation
or a grantee obviously related to such a person, may be passed without
question where title has reached a purchaser for value.
C-3
CORPORATION - DEEDS DATED PRIOR TO INCORPORATION
A.
When a deed is dated and recorded before the certificate of incorporation
of the grantee is filed in the office of the Secretary of State
and a confirmatory deed is obtained from the grantor to the corporation
after the filing of the certificate of incorporation, the deeds
will be passed as sufficient without any requirement for further
instruments from the incorporators or stockholders of the grantee
or from those who furnished the consideration of conveyance.
B.
When a deed is dated before the certificate of incorporation of
the grantee is filed in the office of the Secretary of State and
the deed is recorded on the same day as the certificate is filed
or later, the deed will be passed as sufficient without requirement
of proof of delivery or of any confirmatory deeds.
C-4
FRANCHISE TAXES
When
franchise taxes accrued more than 10 years ago against a corporation
which has been dissolved within the past ten years the franchise
taxes which are more than ten years old may be disregarded, provided
premises have been, or are being, conveyed to a purchaser of value.
If such dissolved corporation is the present owner proof of payment
of taxes accruing subsequent to January 1, 1948 should be obtained.
As to undissolved corporations all franchise taxes accruing during
the period more than ten years last past may be disregarded provided
title has passed, or is being conveyed, to a purchaser of value.
C-5
INTERLOCKING DIRECTORS OR STOCKHOLDERS
A
conveyance from a corporation to a corporate grantee having interlocking
directors or stockholders may be passed without question where title
has reached a purchaser for value.
C-6
OLD CORPORATIONS
Where
a corporation has been out of title and the property has been improved
for over ten (10) years, no search need be made for a certificate
of incorporation.
Descriptions
and Boundaries
D&B-1
DESCRIPTION - DEFECT CAUSED BY CHANGE IN STREET LINES
Where
there is a defect in the description appearing in a deed which has
been or record for 10 years or more and the defect arose by reason
of a change in the street line of the street by which the beginning
point is monumented or by reason of a change in the street line
of the street upon which the property abuts, the title will be insured
without requirement of a correction deed, if both of the following
conditions exist:
A.
All subsequent deeds on record for 10 years or more correctly describe
the property with reference to the changed street lines, and
B.
The property has been improved for 10 years or more, and the grantor
in the described deed owned no other property abutting the misdescribed
property.
D&B-2
DESCRIPTION - VARIANCE BETWEEN STREETS ON FILED MAP AND IN PARTICULAR
DESCRIPTION
Where
a deed into the grantee describes the property by lot on a filed
map followed by a particular description which makes no reference
to the map and thereafter, there has been a change in the street
line of the street from which the beginning point is monumented
and the particular portion of the description in the deed does not
describe the property with reference to the new street line, but
coincides with the property location according to the map, the title
will be insured without requirement of a correction deed.
D&B-3
EFFECT OF "SAME AS" RECITAL IN DEED
A.
When an instrument purports to convey or mortgage all of the interest
of an owner but the instrument contains a recital that the property
is the same as that described in (as distinguished from conveyed
by) a previous instrument which conveyed or mortgaged only a fractional
interest, the recital should be disregarded and the instrument passed
as conveying or mortgaging the entire interest of the owner.
B.
When a conveyance contains a defective description but the description
is followed by a recital that the property is the same as that conveyed
by or described in a previous instrument which contains a good description,
the defective description should be disregarded and the deed passed
as conveying the entire premises.
D&B-4
FENCE VARIATIONS
Where
there are variations between the lines of the record title and lines
offences, hedges or retaining walls, the policy may except such
variations but will not except failure of title to the land outside
of such fence, hedge or retaining wall unless such variations exceed
twelve inches.
D&B-5
INSURING GORES IN RECORD TITLE
Where
there is a gore of less than one inch between two lots, contiguity
between the two lots will nevertheless be insured unless there is
an express reservation to the land in the gore or unless there is
pending litigation over title to the gore.
D&B-6
PARTY WALLS
A.
When the distances and dimensions given for two or more plots would
make them contiguous except for the fact that the point of beginning
in one or more of the descriptions is located opposite the center
of a party wall, the monumentation will be disregarded and contiguity
will be insured when the properties come into a common ownership
provided that the gap between the point opposite the center of the
party wall and the line determined by the distance is 3 inches or
less.
B.
When the point of beginning is described as being "at"
the center of the party wall (as distinguished from "opposite")
and the front of the party wall is set back from the street line
at least two feet, the attempted location at the center of the party
wall will be disregarded entirely as a monument even if the gap
is more than 3 inches.
C.
Where a common owner conveyed buildings separately monumenting some
plots as opposite the center of a party wall, the monumentation
shall be disregarded for the purpose of insuring contiguity where
the sum of the dimensions used in the conveyances totals all the
property originally held by the common owner.
D.
Where a grantor conveys premises monumenting the same as opposite
the center of a party wall, such monumentation may be disregarded
for the purpose of insuring contiguity where the dimensions used
in the conveyance would otherwise convey all the property of the
grantor.
D&B-7
RECIPROCAL DRIVEWAY EASEMENTS
Where
a reciprocal driveway easement is in actual use by adjoining owners
and the reciprocal easement is affirmatively recited in deeds of
record on both sides for at least the past 10 years, and not subordinate
to any mortgage, the reciprocal easement will be insured and any
defect in its creation by the common owner disregarded.
D&B-8
VARIATION BETWEEN RECORD DESCRIPTION AND TAX MAP
Where
there is a variation between the recorded description and a tax
map upto one inch, no question shall be raised.
Estate
Administration & Taxes
E-1
ADMINISTRATOR'S DEED - BOND
A
deed made by an administrator pursuant to EPTL 11-1.1 (where the
decedent died on or after June 1, 1965) will be insured without
exception as to compliance with SCPA 805 (3), if:
A.
a further bond in the amount of the proceeds is filed before the
proceeds are distributed; or
B.
a further bond is dispensed with by the court; or
C.
the existing bond was fixed in the amount that included the full
value of the real property; or
D.
an accounting has been approved showing the property disposition
of the proceeds; or
E.
acknowledged consents, releases or deeds are obtained from all distributees;
or
F.
a proper judicial decree establishes the validity and effectiveness
of the deed.
E-2
CONVEYANCE IN CONTEMPLATION OF DEATH
Where,
within three years after a conveyance is recorded the grantor dies,
no estate tax question need be raised before the property has been
acquired by a subsequent purchaser for value.
E-3
FEDERAL ESTATE TAXES
A.
The question of Federal Estate Taxes may be disregarded where the
New York Estate Tax proceeding against a former owner shows that
the gross estate of the decedent was of the value of not more than
$108,333.00 ($115,000.00 for decedent's estates after 6/9/94). An
estate is exempt from Federal estate taxes when its value is less
than $600,000.00 where the decedent died after December 31, 1986.
B.
The lien of a Federal Estate Tax against a deceased tenant by the
entirety or a deceased joint tenant may be disregarded on a deed
from the surviving tenant by the entirety or the surviving joint
tenant to a purchaser who pays adequate and full consideration.
C.
The lien of a Federal Estate Tax against a deceased tenant by the
entirety or deceased joint tenant may also be disregarded upon a
mortgage for adequate and full consideration from the surviving
tenant by the entirety or the surviving joint tenant.
D.
The lien of a Federal Estate Tax against a decedent may be disregarded
upon a mortgage for value or a transfer made to a purchaser for
value which transfer or mortgage is made directly by the heirs,
devisees or distributees of the decedent.
E.
Where in an action party defendants are included as unknowns in
an omnibus clause, no question will be raised as to possible Federal
Estate Taxes against the estates of any such unknowns who may be
dead and the United States Government need not be named a party
for purpose of cutting off such possible Federal Estate Taxes. The
United States Government is to be named as a party defendant for
any other proper reason which may exist in the title.
E-4
INHERITANCE BY SURVIVING SPOUSE
A.
DEATH OF DECEDENT PRIOR TO MARCH 1, 1964
1.
When decedent died prior to March 1, 1964 and title is through a
surviving spouse who claims the entire title under subdivisions
2 and 3 of Section 83 of the Decedent Estate Law because the estate
was less than $5,000, deeds should be obtained from the surviving
parents or parent, or where title is made through a spouse who claims
the entire title under subdivision 4 because the estate was less
than $10,000, deeds should be obtained from the surviving brothers
and sisters or their descendants. However the requirement for such
deeds will be waived if title is made through a proceeding in the
Surrogate's Court by an administrator for leave to sell the property
or an accounting proceeding or a proceeding for probate of heirship
or other appropriate action or proceeding properly conducted and
such parents or collaterals are joined as parties and an appropriate
finding is made that the value of the estate is below the required
amount.
2.
The title from the surviving spouse of an intestate may be passed
without requiring deeds from the parents or collaterals and without
requiring any of the foregoing proceedings or actions if proof is
furnished of all three of the following:
a.
The estate was below the amount required to give the spouse the
entire title; this may be established either by the estate tax proceedings
or by affidavit, and
b.
The property had been improved for more than fifteen years, and
c.
The deed from the surviving spouse or from his or her heirs, devisees
or successors in interest has been recorded for more than fifteen
years.
B.
DEATH OF DECEDENT BETWEEN MARCH 2, 1964 AND SEPTEMBER 1, 1992
1.
When decedent died after March 1, 1964 and title is through a surviving
spouse who claims the entire title under subdivisions 2 and 3 of
Section 83 of the Decedent Estate Law because the estate was less
than $25,000, deeds should be obtained from the surviving parents
or parent.
However such deeds will be waived if title is made through a proceeding
in the Surrogate's Court by an administrator for leave to sell the
property or an accounting proceeding or a proceeding for probate
of heirship or other appropriate action or proceeding is properly
conducted and such parents are joined as parties and an appropriate
finding is made that the value of the estate is below the required
amount.
NOTE: The following did not take effect until March 1, 1974:
2.
The title from the surviving spouse of an intestate may be passed
without requiring deeds from the parents and without requiring any
of the foregoing proceedings or actions if proof is furnished of
all three of the following:
a.
The estate was below the amount required to give the spouse the
entire title; this may be established either by the estate tax proceeding
or by affidavit, and
b.
The property has been improved for more than ten years, and
c.
The deed from the surviving spouse or from his or her heirs, devisees
or successors in interest has been recorded for more than ten years.
C.
DEATH OF DECEDENT AFTER SEPTEMBER 1, 1992
When
decedent died after September 1, 1992, and title is through a surviving
spouse who claims the entire title under Article 4 of the Estates
Powers and Trusts law, deeds do not have to be obtained from the
surviving parents or parent.
E-5
NEW YORK ESTATE TAX - DEATH AFTER JULY 1, 1978
A.
The lien of the New York Estate Tax may be passed where the decedent
died a resident of New York State on or after July 1, 1978, and
a satisfactory affidavit establishes that the gross estate, including
the subject real property, is not more than $108,333 ($115,000 after
June 9, 1994).
B.
The lien of the New York Estate Tax against a deceased tenant by
the entirety or joint tenant may be disregarded on a deed from the
surviving tenant by the entirety or joint tenant to a bona fide
purchaser for adequate and full consideration.
C.
Where death occurs after May 25, 1990, the lien of the New York
Estate Tax against a deceased tenant by the entirety or deceased
joint tenant may also be disregarded upon a mortgage for adequate
and full consideration from the surviving tenant by the entirety
or the surviving joint tenant.
D.
Where death occurs after May 25, 1990, the lien of the New York
Estate Tax may also be disregarded against an interest in property
held by the decedent and the decedent's surviving spouse as tenants
by the entirety.
E-6
POSTHUMOUS AND AFTERBORN CHILDREN
When
the record fails to show whether any child of a decedent was born
after the death of the decedent or after the date of the decedent's
will, and no proof on the subject is available, the question may
be disregarded if thirty years have elapsed since the death of death
of the decedent, or if ten years have elapsed since a conveyance
by the devisees to a bona fide purchaser.
E-7
POWER OF SALE - ANCILLARY LETTERS OF PROBATE
A.
Prior to September 1, 1967: Where a decedent dies in a State other
than New York State, owning a real property in New York State, and
his will is probated in such foreign state and an ancillary probate
is had in New York State, the foreign executor may act in New York
State pursuant to a power of sale granted in the will without obtaining
Ancillary Letters in New York, unless precluded by Section 131 of
the Banking Law.
B.
After September 1, 1967: Where a decedent dies in a State other
than New York State, owning real property in New York State, and
his will is probated in such foreign state, either an ancillary
or original probate of the will must be completed in New York State
and Ancillary Letters must be issued to the foreign executor before
exercising in New York State a power of sale granted in the will.
E-8
PROBATE OF WILLS
A.
When title is made through a will and the estate is out of title
and the petition for probate, though not made by a blood relative
of the decedent, shows that the heirs are direct descendants or
brothers or sisters, the title will be insured without exception
as to the sufficiency of such proof.
B.
If under the same circumstances the petition shows that the heirs
include nephews or nieces or more remote relatives, the title will
nevertheless be insured without exception as to the sufficiency
of such proof if five years have elapsed since the probate of the
will.
C.
Proof of Heirship of Probate - Where title is presently being made
through a will and the petition is made for probate by the surviving
spouse, who has had children with the decedent, the title will be
insured without further proof of heirship, provided that the decedent
had not had a prior marriage and satisfactory proof of that fact
is furnished.
E-9
PROOF OF HEIRSHIP
When
a deed from the heirs of a former owner who died intestate has been
recorded for more than ten years, and the only proof that such grantors
are the only heirs is contained in a petition for letters of administration
made by one who was not a blood relative of the decedent, the title
will be insured without any exception as to the sufficiency of such
proof.
E-10
PROOF OF HEIRSHIP & DEATH OF JOINT TENANT OR TENANCY BY THE
ENTIRETY
A.
When a deed from the heirs of a deceased former owner who died intestate
or the surviving tenant by the entirety or joint tenant of a deceased
former owner has been recorded more than ten years, and the only
proof that such grantor(s) are the surviving tenant by the entirety
or joint tenant or the only heirs is contained in a statement in
the transfer or estate tax petition or application for release of
lien by a qualified person or (pursuant to Real Property Actions
and Proceedings Law Section 341) in a recital contained in a duly
acknowledged deed mortgage or other instrument executed for the
purpose of transferring title which is more than 10 years old to
the effect that he/she is the surviving spouse or joint tenant or
the only persons interested in the estate of the decedent, the title
will be insured without exception as to the sufficiency of such
proof.
B.
A recorded release of New York Estate Tax may also be accepted as
proof of death of a deceased joint tenant or tenancy by the entirety.
E-11
PROOF OF PAYMENT OF LEGACIES
Legacies
whether expressly or impliedly charged on the real property of a
decedent may be disregarded after 10 years from the date of death
of the decedent if the estate has passed out of title.
E-12
PUBLIC ADMINISTRATOR'S SALES
Title
made through sales by public administrators may be insured, if otherwise
valid, despite the fact that no bond has been filed in the proceeding
for the sale of the particular parcel and despite the fact that
no bank has been designated in the order of the depository of the
proceeds of sale.
E-13
PUBLIC ADMINISTRATOR'S SALES - ACTION IN FIDUCIARY CAPACITY
If
an intestate died on or after June 1, 1965, title made through sales
by the Public Administrator acting as administrator of the estate
under Section 11-1.1 of the Estates, Powers and Trust Law may be
insured without requiring the filing of an additional bond unless
the court so requires.
Liens
and Judgments
L&J-1
FEDERAL TAX LIENS
A.
A notice of Federal Tax Lien based on an assessment made, on or
before November 6, 1990 may be disregarded upon the execution and
delivery of a deed, lease or mortgagor affecting the property of
the taxpayer to a Purchaser (as defined in Section 6323 of the Internal
Revenue Code) or a Mortgagee after six (6) years and thirty (30)
days have elapsed from the date of assessment set forth in the notice
of Federal Tax Lien, unless the notice of Federal Tax Lien was refiled
prior to the expiration of the six (6) year and thirty (30)day period.
If the notice of Federal Tax Lien was refiled with the six (6)year
and thirty (30) day period from the date of assessment, the notice
of Federal Tax Lien may be disregarded after ten (10) years and
thirty (30) day shave elapsed from the date of assessment set forth
in the notice of Federal Tax Lien unless the notice of Federal Tax
Lien was further refiled.
B.
Federal Tax liens against one of the parties holding title as tenants
by the entirety may be passed when title passes from the other tenant
as a survivor following the death of his or her spouse. The lien
will not be passed when both tenants by the entirety are alive.
L&J-2
FEDERAL TAX LIENS FILED BETWEEN DATE OF MORTGAGE AND RECORDING
Where
between the time of a bona fide closing and the time of recording
of the insured mortgage, a Federal Tax Lien is filed against a mortgagor,
the Federal Tax Lien will be passed upon proof establishing the
actual closing date and, if there is a delay between the date of
the mortgage or mortgages and the recording thereof, the reason
for the delay in recordation.
L&J-3
JUDGMENTS AGAINST PARTNERS
A.
Where title is in a limited partnership or limited liability partnership
duly formed, which is about to convey or mortgage property, judgment
searches need not be run against general or limited partners and
judgment liens against them may be disregarded.
B.
When title is taken in the trade name of a general partnership in
accordance with its named designation in the certificate of partnership
which is properly filed, judgment searches need not be run against
general or limited partners and judgment liens against them may
be disregarded.
L&J-4
JUDGMENTS ENTERED BETWEEN DATE OF DEED OR MORTGAGE AND RECORDING
Where
between the time of a bona fide closing and the time of recording
instruments, a judgment is docketed against a grantor or mortgagor,
the judgment will be passed upon proof establishing the actual closing
date and, if there is a delay between the date of the deed(s) or
mortgage(s) and the recording thereof, the reason for the delay
in recordation.
L&J-5
NYC LIENS AND JUDGMENTS DURATION
A.
Parking Violation Bureau Judgments:
8 years (N.Y. Vehicle and Traffic Law Section 241 (3))
B.
Environmental Control Board Judgments:
8 years (NYC Charter Ch. 57 Section 1404)
C.
Transit Adjudication Bureau Judgments:
10 years (N.Y. Public Authority Law Section 1209-A; 1984 N.Y. Laws
Ch. 93)
L&J-6
PRIORITY OF A PURCHASE MONEY MORTGAGE OVER JUDGMENT AGAINST THE
MORTGAGOR
Where
real property is sold and conveyed, and at the same time a mortgage
thereupon is given by the purchaser to secure the payment of the
whole or apart of the purchase money, the lien of the mortgage upon
the real property is superior to the lien of a previous judgment
against a purchase money mortgagor wholly or partly for a sum of
money or directing the payment of a sum of money against the purchaser.
This may be followed whether the mortgage is made directly to the
grantor or to a third party, so long as the mortgage recites that
it is a purchase money mortgage.
L&J-7
SURETY BOND LIENS - WHEN DISREGARDED
A
Surety Bond Lien may be disregarded after 10 years from the date
of filing provided that such lien was not extended by court order
and such extension noted in the record where the Surety Bond Lien
is filed.
Mortgages
and Foreclosure of Mortgages
M-1
FORECLOSURE IN FEDERAL COURTS
When
a judgment has been rendered in favor of an Agency of the State
or a Municipality other than the Industrial Commissioner of the
State of New York, it will be adequate to join the State of New
York or such Municipality without joining the Agency as a party
defendant provided that appropriate recitals are contained in the
compliant giving the reason for joinder as a Commissioner, agency,
or municipality.
M-2
FORECLOSURES IN FEDERAL COURTS
Exception
need not be taken to a publication of a public sale of realty or
interest therein under any order, judgment or decree of any court
of the United States provided it has been made in accordance with
the Federal Statute (28 U.S. Code Sec. 2002) which reads as follow:
"A public sale of realty or interest therein under any order,
judgment or decree of any court of the United States shall not be
made without notice published once a week for at least four weeks
prior to the sale in at least one newspaper regularly issued and
of general circulation in the county, state or judicial district
of the United States wherein the realty is situated. "If such
realty is situated in more than one county, state, district or circuit,
such notice shall be published in one or more of the counties, states,
or districts wherein it is situated, as the court directs. The notice
shall be substantially in such form and contain such description
of the property by reference or otherwise as the court approves.
The court may direct that the publication be made in other newspapers.
This section shall not apply to sales and proceedings under Title
11 or by receivers or conservators of banks appointed by the Comptroller
of the Currency."
M-3
FORECLOSURE - PARTIES - SUCCESSORS OF DECEASED MORTGAGEE
When
the holder of a junior lien dies intestate and no proceedings have
been had in his estate for the appointment of an administrator,
the lien will be deemed barred in an action to foreclose a prior
mortgage if all the next of kin have been made parties and satisfactory
proof is furnished of the death, the intestacy, the family history
and the absence of creditors of the estate. In such situations the
lack of proof that there were no creditors may be disregarded when
more than six years have elapsed since the delivery of the referee's
deed.
M-4
ASSIGNMENTS OF JUDGMENTS TO UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
When
a judgment, subsequent in lien to a mortgage being foreclosed and
docketed prior to the filing of a notice of pendency, or a judgment
docketed subsequent to the filing of a notice of pendency, is assigned
to the United States of America after the filing of the notice of
pendency in an action to foreclose such mortgage, then such assignment
may be disregarded provided the record holder of such judgment filed
prior to the notice of pendency, is properly joined and served as
a party defendant, all necessary papers are served on such party,
and the action goes to judgment and sale.
M-5
MORTGAGE SATISFACTION BY AFFIDAVIT RPAPL SECTION 1921
A
mortgage secured by property improved by a one-to-six family, owner
occupied, residential structure or residential condominium unit
may be disregarded without the recording of a Satisfaction of Mortgage
provided there has been compliance with RPAPL Section 1921.
M-6
RELEASE IN LIEU OF SATISFACTION OF MORTGAGE When the premises
affected by a mortgage lien is released of record instead of the
mortgage being satisfied, the mortgage will be omitted as an objection
to title.
M-7
SMALL ANCIENT MORTGAGES
A mortgage in the face amount of $15,000 or less which matured more
than thirty years ago and which is not recited in the chain of title
for 20 years or more, may be disregarded upon an affidavit of non-payment
of principal or interest or of demand of owners for 12 years, provided
that the present owner or an ancestor was not the mortgagor and
there has been one or more transfers of title for value.
M-8
UNRECORDED MORTGAGE
Recital of an unrecorded mortgage in a deed of record for 20 years
or more maybe passed on proof that for 6 years or more last past
no principal or interest has been paid or demanded and no knowledge
of said unrecorded mortgage was had by the owners. Where such recitals
is contained in the last deed of record satisfactory proof will
be required to dispose of the objection.
|