The chain of title is the backbone of every title insurance policy — and a broken link anywhere in that chain can mean unreleased liens, adverse claimants, and a commitment that can't close. But before you can spot what's broken, you have to know how to follow the chain in the first place.
Using a real run sheet provided by Title Data, presenters Candie Sandlin and Lisa Harris walk through the full process of tracing a chain of title — from identifying the deed and tracking lien priority to recognizing missing assignments, evaluating releases of lien, and understanding what MERS means for the public record. This interactive, hands-on session is built for those new to title examination who want practical skills they can put to use immediately.
Key takeaways include
- What a chain of title is and why a broken chain creates risk in the issuance of a title insurance policy
- The standards for title examination and furnishing title evidence under Procedural Rule P-1(e) and P-1(z)
- How to read a run sheet — what each field means, why the certification date matters, and why the reference column can't be trusted without verification
- How to trace a chain of title using color-coded highlighting to track deeds, multiple liens, assignments, and releases in sequence
- How to identify a broken chain — including missing lien assignments and the role of MERS — and what options are available to resolve it
Presenters:
Candie Sandlin, CTIP
Chief Operating Officer
Community National Title
Lisa Harris, CAEP
Commercial Title Examiner
Heritage Title Company of Austin, Inc.
Pricing:
Member: $40
Nonmember: $54
CE Credit:
1.0 Hour Escrow CE Credit
Beginner level – Designed for those new to the topic and/or the title industry. May include basic concepts, definitions, and foundational industry practices.
Per Procedural Rule P-28 II I-6, TDI will not award CE credit for completing the same course more than once during a reporting period.
The information in this course is provided by TLTA for educational and reference purposes only and should not be considered legal, financial, or business advice. Users should consult their own legal counsel and subject-matter experts to ensure that any policies adopted or actions taken meet the requirements unique to their company.
Legal information provides public information, such as rules or laws, or an explanation of those laws. It is not legal advice. Legal advice recommends a specific course of action or interprets the law based on particular facts. For legal advice, please consult your attorney.