Maryland Law & Legal Resources

Step 1 - Research current deed(s), tax account(s), legal description and plat.  Note type of title (e.g., fee simple / leasehold) and if leasehold plan to track both ground rent and fee simple. Compare plat, deed and tax account for consistency in description. 

Step 2 - Take the information from Step 1 and go back deed by deed through the Grantor/Grantee index starting with the current owners and working backwards until you’ve located all deeds in the past 60+ years for the property and listed all names in the title history. Check each for consistency and look for any anomolies or gaps.  

Step 3 -   Run searches “going forward" for each name found in Step 2 in the Grantor/Grantee index, identify all deeds, mortgages, easements and other documents connected with each person from the date they acquired interest and compare to the property.   

Step 4 - Identify for the documents found in Step 3 which mortgages, easements, agreements and liens are outstanding and which have been satisifed and released.  Record the details  of any open mortgage or lien.

Step 5 - Search the district and Circuit Court dockets and judgment indexes for all court cases, judgments and liens for each name in the title history.  Record the case number, date, amount, etc. for any judgments and/or liens that may have attached to the property. Also identify any pending cases.

Step 6 - Search the probate court records for names in the title history.  Record all estates and deaths of persons in title, and retrieve the estate dockets for all such estates.

Step 7 - Create a title report showing the title chain, any liens/encumbrances and other matters affecting the property with references to liber/folios and copies of relevant records.  Confirm legal description and note any issues / discrepancies.