Course Title

Course Number

Instructor

Preparation of Legal Title Abstracts

LEGL 334

Bernadette Agresti, Paralegal

 

Course Description: This course will cover the theory and practice of completing real estate title abstracts. The course will include practice within the Erie County Courthouse as well as classroom instruction in mapping legal descriptions, preparation of legal descriptions, preparation and complete concepts of title searching and adversing.

The course will also touch on areas not usually covered in real estate courses, such as, estates, bankruptcy, federal liens, sheriff's sales, tax sales, divorce law, etc. as they pertain to the mechanic's of a real estate title search.

Textbook(s): Essentials of Practical Real Estate Law, Hinkel, Daniel F.,

Required Materials: Protractor, scale, legal pads, tracing paper.

Special Assignments/Procedures: One mapping assignment will be given and will be due on the on the 6th week of classes. Two exams will be given on week 4 and week 13. One complete title search will be assigned week 3 and will be due no later than 1 week before the final exam.

Class Attendance: University policy stipulates: "Attendance at all classes . . . is expected to all students and all courses are conducted with this understanding. A student's grades are based upon the general quality of work performed in each course and by such factors as prompt completion of all assignments, papers, and readings by presence for all examinations, and by participation in class discussion. The faculty has no obligation to provide special consideration of any kind to students who are absent from classes or examinations . . ." However, "Absenteeism alone shall not be a factor in grade determinations for upper classmen."

Evaluation Procedures: Students will be graded on their timely completion of the mapping assignment, exam results, and timely and accurate completion of the assigned title search.

Mapping Assignment:

Examinations:

Title Abstract

20% of grade

30% of grade (15 pts. each)

50% of grade

20 points total

30 points total

50 points total

 

90-100 points

85-89 points

80-84 points

70-79 points

69 or below

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=

=

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A

B

C

D

F

 

Tentative Schedule of Assignments and Activities:

Class # 

  1. Course overview; 3 sections of Title Search - Prep./Mapping; 2. Chain of Title; 3. Adverse
  2. Courthouse/assessment office/map room tour/by appointment. Prepare take-off of an assigned property
  3. Subdivision maps, building lines, etc. - Easements and their affect on title; Title to real estate; Deeds, Inheritance; Dower rights, testate / intestate estates.
  4. FIRST EXAM
  5. Mapping legal descriptions (Bring protractor and engineer's scale.) - Mapping practice (Bring protractor and engineer's scale.)
  6. Chains of title - Mapping assignment due/chains of title continued
  7. Practice chains of title - Estate and their affect on title examination
  8. Practice reading estates - Independent work on chains of title; Setting up the adverse sheet; (Bring all practice chains of title) - Russell Index System/Adversing; Adversing / Recording Info./Day Sheets
  9. Prothonotary office / Adversing Judgements, Secured (CICC's) - federal tax liens, Equity / Ejectment, Treasury Deeds. Delinquent taxes and municipal liens
  10. Final Title Abstract Assigned
  11. Independent work on assigned title abstract
  12. Independent work on assigned title abstract
  13. Cover sheets/Reporting findings - Discussion of Oil and Gas Lease Searches, Credit Reports, Criminal checks; Finding Recording Information
  14. Review of finished product
  15. Question/answer session
  16. Final Exam Week

 

 

Gannon University, University Square ~ Erie, PA 16541-0001
Toll Free: 1-800-GANNON-U
Office of Admissions: (814) 871-7240

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