What Does a Real Estate Title Search Do?

Sutton Law Group • March 21, 2021
Beautiful house — S. Miami, FL — Sutton Law Group

Anyone who has been through the process of making a real estate transaction knows how difficult it can be. Every time you think that you are in the clear, another hurdle can pop up that you have to deal with. This is certainly true of both selling and purchasing, no matter if it is a new home or a commercial property. One of the most important processes that happens when you are ready to move towards closing is the title search.

The property title defines who has legal ownership of the property in question. In a real estate transaction, the seller holds the property title and the buyer will take it over once the transaction is finalized. The issue with the process is that the property title is not always one hundred percent accurate. It may be missing updated information on the property, or not accounting for its entire history.


This is where the title search comes into play. A title search is a comprehensive look at every document that has ever concerned the property in question. It is completed by the real estate attorney working with you during the transaction. They are searching for any unaccounted-for issues that might call the ownership of the property into question. A title search is always in the buyer’s best interests, because if the seller does not actually possess full ownership of the property, then neither will the buyer after the transaction is complete.


The title search could find a number of things. The most common issue is outstanding liens against the property. These could be for unpaid contract work on the house, unpaid IRS taxes on the property, or even unpaid Home Owner Association fees. They may not even be from the current owner, but from several owners back. If the property has any of these outstanding unpaid fees against it, it can be argued that someone still owed money still owns a piece of the property.


Another common issue is ownership disputes over the property. In certain cases, the seller you are working with could turn out to be a renter. A title search may also reveal that the house is actually co-owned by a sibling or spouse, maybe as a result of being left to someone after the original owner’s death. If you only have one of the owners sign the property over to you, then the other owner still has a claim to the property.


Getting a title search is one of the most important processes in the real estate transaction process. Even if it seems unimportant, title search results account for ten percent of all delays in the transaction process. You don’t want any surprises. For a reliable real estate attorney who will leave no stone unturned, contact Sutton Law Group today. We’re here where and when you need us!

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Who is Responsible For Injuries On a Cruise Line?

By Sutton Law Group • January 2, 2022
At the moment, it seems like the cruise line industry may have been permanently injured by the COVID-19 pandemic. The sad truth, however, is that plenty of customers have been permanently injured by the cruise line industry over the years. Slips and falls and other injuries are common on cruise lines, not to mention accidents where customers fall overboard. When you are on a ship in the middle of the ocean, who is responsible for injuries sustained?
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How a Structural Building Violation Ended in a Major Court Case

By Sutton Law Group • December 13, 2021
In 2008 and 2009, John R. Sutton and Sutton Pomares Law Group PA worked on the case Worthington Communities Inc. vs. Mejia in the Florida Second District Court of Appeals. The case revolved around a construction worker who ended up paralyzed seeking damages from the owner of the site he was building. The case was of national interest, not only because of the tragic nature of the accident, but because of the law precedent it stood to set.
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By Sutton Law Group • November 14, 2021
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It’s Not Weird Anymore: The Truth About Premarital Agreements

By Sutton Law Group • October 14, 2021
For years, the common perception about Premarital Agreements was that they were niche at best and damning at worst. A Premarital Agreement, sometimes known as a Prenuptial Agreement or a “Prenup,” is a legal contract created between two fiancées that dictates the ownership of their individual assets should the marriage fail. In the last decade, they have gone from relatively obscure to commonplace – so it might be time to reevaluate what we think that we know about them.
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Start Saving Now: 6 Tips To Help You Financially Prepare For Divorce

By Sutton Law Group • September 22, 2021
No matter what financial situation you are accustomed to, things will be different after a divorce. There are many life changes that come with a divorce – in living situation, emotional spectrum, and social life – but one of the changes that affects people most deeply are the major financial changes. If you are considering or starting the divorce process, one of the best things that you can do is to prepare yourself for the incoming financial changes. Here are our 6 tips to help you financially prepare for life during and after divorce:
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Wills vs. Trusts: Which is Right For Me?

By Sutton Law Group • August 16, 2021
You want to preserve your legacy for your loved ones and reduce undue taxation on your estate. Is a Will or a Trust the best way to do that? There is no set answer. The best Estate Planning tool for you will depend on your circumstances and your goals for the future. In this blog, we explain the pros and cons of Wills and Trusts so you can determine which one is a better fit for your priorities. 
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How to Recognize Credit Discrimination Against Your Florida Business

By Sutton Law Group • July 18, 2021
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5 Ways to Be a Better Coparent During the Summer

By Sutton Law Group • June 15, 2021
When summer break and activity schedules suddenly have to align with regular visitation, it can be difficult to keep track of everything. The summers are a time for family and fun, and when those things look different than they used to, it can be hard to adjust. You may be asking yourself: How do I coparent during the summer? The answer, of course, is: the same way I do the rest of the year. It just doesn’t always seem that simple.  Here are five ways that can help you handle coparenting during the most exciting time of the year:
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By Sutton Law Group • May 17, 2021
In Florida, businesses and professionals who are licensed by state agencies need to hit specific requirements in order to operate. At Sutton Law Group, our work in Florida commercial business litigation lets us see many of these requirements up close. As a part of Florida law, you have to acquire and maintain a license . If your application does not include all the required information, you may receive a Notice of Intent to Deny.
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How Can I Get Full Child Custody in Florida?

By Sutton Law Group • April 19, 2021
A parent’s first thought when they are entering a divorce is normally of their children. Most parents are accustomed to spending every single day with their child. The idea of that changing can be terrifying. Most parents are resistant to the idea of sharing time, which is why one of the questions that we receive most often is “How can I get full sole custody of my child?”
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