While there may some effect on the members of the title industry such as abstractors, examiners and title agents; the fact is politicians care about voters. So I suggest you address the effect which the use of Attorney Title Opinions will have on the consumer, especially the residential consumers. In our state, Louisiana, we have limitations on the attorney's liability (3 years). Title opinions are based on the abstract and title exam, or should be, so that the business will not disappear. What will happen is the consumer will pay a price for the ATO which is similar to the title premium retained by the title agent, the consumer and lender will have limited protection against title defects as the attorney's liability will prescribe. Maybe the lender wants a new ATO as the validity of the prior ATO prescribes, which is another cost to the consumer for downdates to be obtained and a new letter issued by the Attorney. Where are the savings to the consumer? So in the end the consumer gets no real relief, the title to properties may become suggestive of litigation or non-merchantable without significant and perhaps costly title curative work, lenders will be hesitant to lend, etc.
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