Though I think the title plant referred to here was a traditional "thick" title plant, it does give us all something to think about.  As abstractors, if we use the courthouse records and something is missing, nobody can say that we were negligent.  However, if we used a title plant that disclaims such liability we are going to be liable, for not doing our due diligence, if the information was available from the "official" records.

Our clients seem to be adopting the use of these plants and accepting the risks that are associated.  However, if we adopt the same processes we must carry the risk and that can be too much for most of us small abstractors to bear.  It does make it difficult to compete; our clients are buying oranges and we are selling apples.

We are being marketed to - persuading us to adopt the technology, but the additional risks aren't worth the benefits, in my opinion.  I for one, plan on sticking with traditional courthouse abstracting.

Robert A. Franco
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