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cloud on title (cloud) :: legal definition


Cloud on title (cloud) - n. an actual or apparent outstanding claim on the title to real property. "Clouds" can include an old mortgage or deed of trust with no recording showing the secured debt was paid off, a failure to properly transfer all interests in the real property (such as mineral rights) to a former owner, a previous deed which was improperly written or signed, an unresolved legal debt or levy by a creditor or a taxing authority, or some other doubtful link in the chain of title. Often the "cloud" can be removed by a quiet title action, by finding a person to create or execute a document to prove a debt had been paid or corrected. Title companies will refuse to insure title to be transferred with a "cloud," or they will insure ownership except for ("insure around") the "cloud."

See also: chain of title deed of trust mortgage quiet title action reconveyance title title report and Related Law Terms ↓


Related Law Terms

abstract of title :: n. the written report on a title search which show ... e also: chain of title title report
assume :: v. to take over the liability for a debt on a prom ... he assumption. See also: assumption
attorney-in-fact :: n. someone specifically named by another through a ... cument. See also: power of attorney
bankruptcy :: n. a federal system of statutes and courts which p ... y proceedings trustee in bankruptcy
chain of title :: n. the succession of title ownership to real prope ... title conveyance foreclosure title
closing :: n. the final step in the sale and purchase of real ... company, escrow holder or attorney.
color of title :: n. the appearance of having title to personal or r ... rty based on this "color of title."
constructive trust :: n. when a person has title to property and/or take ... tence. See also: constructive trust
convey :: v. to transfer title (official ownership) to real ... ion conveyance deed grantee grantor
covenant :: 1) n. a promise in a written contract or a deed of ... o compete deed restrictive covenant
dedication :: n. the giving of land by a private person or entit ... perty. See also: quiet title action
deed :: 1) n. the written document which transfers title ( ... veyance deed of trust warranty deed
deed of trust :: n. a document which pledges real property to secur ... : foreclosure mortgage reconveyance
defect :: n. an imperfection, quite often so great that the ... See also: defective defective title
easement :: n. the right to use the real property of another f ... rstandings at the time of creation.
encumbrance :: (incumbrance)n. a general term for any claim or li ... and must be paid for at some point.
escrow :: 1) n. a form of account held by an "escrow agent" ... w the deal." See also: escrow agent
fee tail :: n. an old feudal expression for a title to real pr ... rest only. See also: fee fee simple
foreclosure :: n. the system by which a party who has loaned mone ... ced sale mortgage notice of default
foreclosure sale :: n. the actual forced sale of real property at a pu ... dicial sale mortgage sheriff's sale
grant :: v. to transfer real property from a title holder ( ... deed grantee grantor quitclaim deed
grant deed :: n. the document which transfers title to real prop ... rant grantee grantor quitclaim deed
grantor-grantee index :: n. a set of books and/or computerized lists found ... ument in tracking a chain of title.
hostile possession :: n. occupancy of a piece of real property coupled w ... verse possession quiet title action
in kind :: adj. referring to payment, distribution or substit ... . See also: distribution trust will
judicial foreclosure :: n. a judgment by a court in favor of foreclosure o ... deed of trust foreclosure mortgage
jurisdiction :: n. the authority given by law to a court to try ca ... Superior Court Supreme Court venue
lease :: 1) n. a written agreement in which the owner of pr ... triple net lease unlawful detainer
lien :: n. any official claim or charge against property o ... ord's lien mechanic's lien mortgage
life estate :: n. the right to use or occupy real property for on ... hter, Sadie, will own the property.
marketable title :: n. the title to real property which has no encumbr ... e. See also: contract real property
mortgage :: n. a document in which the owner pledges his/her/i ... losure notice of default trust deed
muniment of title :: n. documentary evidence of title to real property. ... also: deed quiet title action title
no fault insurance :: n: a type of automobile insurance required of car ... ling lawsuits. See also: negligence
nominal party :: n. a defendant or a plaintiff included in a lawsui ... ed. See also: necessary party party
notice :: n. 1) information, usually in writing in all legal ... Thirty-day notice three-day notice
possibility of a reverter :: n. the potential that the title to a real property ... further issue. See also: reversion
quiet title action :: n. a lawsuit to establish a party's title to real ... opposition. See also: notice title
quitclaim deed :: n. a real property deed which transfers (conveys) ... also: convey deed grant deed title
race to the courthouse :: n. slang for the rule that the first deed, deed of ... e also: deed judgment lien mortgage
real estate investment trust :: n. nicknamed REIT, a real estate investment organi ... its upon sale-if there is a profit.
reconveyance :: n. in those states which use deeds of trust as a m ... conveyance. See also: deed of trust
record :: 1) v. (ree-cored) to put a document into the offic ... eeding race to the courthouse trial
remainder :: n. in real property law, the interest in real prop ... ed reversion title vested remainder
restraint on alienation :: n. an attempt in a deed or will to prevent the sal ... enant rule against perpetuities use
resulting trust :: n. a trust implied by law (as determined by a cour ... See also: constructive trust trust
rule against perpetuities :: n. the legal prohibition against tying up property ... . See also: restraint on alienation
seisin :: (sees-in) n. an old feudal term for having both po ... perty). See also: fee simple seized
service by publication :: n. serving a summons or other legal document in a ... perty. See also: service of process
subject to :: adj. referring to the acquisition of title to real ... : assumption deed of trust mortgage
title :: n. 1) ownership of real property or personal prope ... ink slip real property title search
title insurance :: n. a policy issued by an insurance company guarant ... : chain of title title title search
title report :: n. the written analysis of the status of title to ... lso: abstract title title insurance
title search :: n. the examination of county records for the prope ... e escrow lien title title insurance
trust deed :: n. another name for a deed of trust, a form of mor ... paid back. See also: deed of trust
trustee :: n. a person or entity who holds the assets (corpus ... es. See also: settlor trust trustor
use :: n. the right to enjoy the benefits of real propert ... ay it is only of academic interest.

Popular Law Searches

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Other Law Terms - C

C.I.F. :: n. the total of cost, insurance and freight charge ... aid on goods purchased and shipped.
calendar :: 1) n. the list of cases to be called for trial bef ... clerk of the court calendars cases.
calendar call :: n. the hearing at which a case is set for trial. ... g at which a case is set for trial.
call :: n. the demand by a corporation that a stockholder ... assessment on shares already owned.
calumny :: n. the intentional and generally vicious false acc ... 's reputation. See also: defamation
cancel :: v. to cross out, annul, destroy, void and/or resci ... g, so that it cannot be used again.
cancellation :: cancel ... cancel
caning :: n. a punishment for crimes employed in certain Asi ... last century in the United States.
canon law :: n. laws and regulations over ecclesiastical (churc ... nduct with no religious connection.
cap :: n. slang for maximum, as the most interest that ca ... "adjustable rate" promissory note.
capital :: 1) n. from Latin for caput, meaning "head," the ba ... count capital assets stock in trade
capital account :: n. the record which lists all basic assets of a bu ... or the alleged value of good will.
capital assets :: n. equipment, property, and funds owned by a busin ... . See also: capital capital account
capital expenditure :: n. payment by a business for basic assets such as ... y intended to improve productivity.
capital gains :: n. the difference between the sales price and the ... so: basis delayed exchange exchange
capital investment :: capital expenditure ... capital expenditure
capital offense :: n. any criminal charge which is punishable by the ... . See also: bail capital punishment
capital punishment :: n. execution (death) for a capital offense. The U. ... or death. See also: capital offense
capital stock :: n. the original amount paid by investors into a co ... price. See also: corporation stock
capitalization :: n. 1) the act of counting anticipated earnings and ... for conversion into capital assets.