Important Statutory Change
June 16, 2020
Effective July 1, 2020:
Senate Enrolled Act 340 changed Indiana Code 32-21-2-3(a) by replacing ‘or’ with ‘and’. requiring both an acknowledgment in front of a notary AND a common law proof in front of a notary. Before the statutory change, a deed, mortgage or other recorded instrument could have either an acknowledgment in front of a notary OR a proof in front of a notary.
A proof requires a witness (not the notary) to witness the signatures of parties, not just grantors of a deed or mortgagors of a mortgage, who execute any instruments that are to be recorded. The witness must be over the age of 18 and can NOT be an interested party to the transaction. Relatives of the signer, buyers, sellers, real estate agents and lenders would all be ineligible to act as witnesses.
We are working with the ILTA and our lobbyist to see what can be done quickly about this, but the new law goes into effect July 1st, so any documents recorded on or after July 1st will need this certificate.
Meridian Title Corporation is pleased to announce the acquisition of IN Title Company, a longstanding provider of title services in Delaware and Henry County, Indiana. “We are excited to join the Meridian Title family,” said Jim Smith, Co-President and Attorney at IN Title Company. “This partnership allows us to continue serving our clients with the same local focus, while gaining access to additional resources and technology to support our growth.” “IN Title Company is a respected and well-run company with deep roots in its communities,” said Randy Rempp, CEO of Meridian Title Corporation. “We are proud to welcome their experienced team and strong reputation into our organization.” “After getting to know Randy, Terri and the broader Meridian team, we are confident that this is the right partnership for our employees and our clients,” added Jim Trulock, Co-President and Attorney at IN Title Company. IN Title Company is a full-service title agency handling a broad range of real estate transactions, including residential and commercial matters, with offices in Muncie and New Castle. This acquisition expands Meridian Title Corporation’s footprint to 43 offices across Indiana and Michigan, while strengthening its workforce to more than 230 employees. It also allows IN Title Company to offer a broader range of services previously unavailable, including 1031 Tax Free Exchange transactions, tax sale property services, and licensing in additional states such as Michigan, Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee, and Wisconsin. Meridian Title Corporation, founded in 1938 and headquartered in South Bend, Indiana, is known for its commitment to service, community involvement, and industry leadership. The company provides a comprehensive range of real estate services, including title insurance, title research, escrow and closing services, tax sale certification, and support for residential, commercial, new construction, land development, and default (REO/foreclosure) transactions. About Meridian Title Corporation Meridian Title Corporation brings more than 85 years of experience and operates over 43 offices serving communities throughout Indiana, Michigan, and Illinois. The company partners with lenders, brokers, developers, and consumers nationwide to deliver compliant, timely real estate closings and settlements. For more information, visit www.meridiantitle.com or call 800-777-1574. About IN Title Company IN Title Company began as Meredith & Meredith Law & Abstract Office in 1887 and Cox and McGongale Abstract Company in 1910. James W. Smith purchased Beebe Title Company, Inc., later Beebe & Smith Title Company, Inc. (successor to Cox and McGongale) in 1994 and James W. Trulock purchased Delaware County Abstract Company, Inc. (successor to Meredith & Meredith) in 1988. Those two companies merged into Indiana Title Insurance Company, LLC in 2002 and became IN Title Company in 2009.
We are pleased to announce that alongside our partner and Qualified Intermediary (QI), Accruit, we can now facilitate 1031 exchange transactions through our Meridian Exchange Division.
We are pleased to announce that alongside our partner and Qualified Intermediary (QI), Accruit, we can now facilitate 1031 exchange transactions through our Meridian Exchange Division.
Two-factor authentication (2FA), also known as two-step verification or multi-factor authentication (MFA), is a security process that requires users to provide two different authentication factors to gain access to an account or system.
Homeowners often pride themselves on the security of their most valuable asset—their home. However, amidst the joy of homeownership lurks a lesser-known threat: home title fraud. This insidious form of identity theft can wreak havoc on unsuspecting individuals, potentially leading to devastating financial losses and emotional distress.
MAX is ready to help! He saves Real Estate Agents, Lenders, Buyers and Sellers time by providing real-time information concerning their closing throughout the entire closing process. If you have any questions about MAX and how he can benefit you, contact your Account Manager today!
Effective January 1st, 2021, a new Sales Disclosure Form will be required for the state of Indiana. Use the link below to visit the IN.gov website for more information about the changes, instructions and the form itself.
Say hello to our newest (and cutest) team member MAX! Our new virtual assistant is available to help our customers and clients with questions about their closings in real-time.