Most of us in Michigan don't search other courts unless specifically asked, and then sometimes, we refuse the request.  The problem for us can be that the register of deeds is nowhere near the federal/district courts, or bankruptcy court.  My person who does Calhoun Co. (which is where Battle Creek is) has to go to the Co. seat and the Register of Deeds office which is in the town of Marshall.  The other courts are in Battle Creek, several miles away. 

We put a clear disclaimer on our forms (as do many of the other abstractors whose work I've seen). 

This search does not include a search of the records of the circuit, probate, bankruptcy or other courts nor any records other than the records in the office of the Register of Deeds.  ALSO the results of this search are dependant upon the accuracy of the indices generated and maintained by others.  This search does not cover matters of record if same were not properly indexed.

If I'm using the clients form, I add a separate sheet with this disclaimer and also our (much needed) disclaimer about the accuracy of taxes in this silly state (where for half the year we have to depend on verbal information from township treasurers who sometimes pick-up the wrong line of information).

Alix