January-February 2012 | Volume 5 - Number 1

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Update from the ATG Administration

ATG Hits the Ground Running
 
What's on the Horizon for 2012
 
Jerry Gorman photoAs a member-driven organization, ATG works to achieve the highest level of communication and interaction with our members with the goal of enabling them to offer the best service to their clients and reduce risk. To that end, we provide OnLine and OnSite CLE programs, publish this and other e-newsletters to provide industry news, procedural updates, and more.

We are excited to launch two new technology initiatives in 2012 that will significantly enhance our communications and online interactions with our members. Read the full article.

Sincerely,

Jerry T. Gorman
ATG Senior Vice President


 

ATTORNEYS | Practice Notes

REAL ESTATE AND TITLE INSURANCE NEWS
 
Signing Documents for Your Clients without Power of Attorney - Only a few circumstances allow attorneys to sign documents for clients without a power of attorney.
EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2012: Notice Regarding Water and Sewer Charge Full Payment Certificates - As a result of a recent amendment to the City of Chicago Municipal Code, all transfers of property will require a Full Payment Certificate (FPC). This will include previously exempt property transfers such as quit claim and government agency transactions.

EFFECTIVE JANUARY 15, 2012: Cook County Document Fees Increasing - The Cook County Board of Commissioners passed an ordinance amendment, raising the per document Internet Document Copy and Document Storage Fees.


 

CASENOTES
 
Illinois
Foreclosure
U.S. Bank v Dzis - A circuit court has the authority to allow private detectives to act as process servers because service of process is not a fundamental or substantive right.
 
Indiana
Foreclosure
Citizens State Bank of New Castle v Countrywide Home Loans, Inc - A junior lienholder is unaffected by a foreclosure action if inadvertently unnamed by the foreclosing mortgagee.
 
Wisconsin
Easements
Psicihulis v Samarzja - An easement giving a landlocked property access to a lake does not include the right to build a pier, unless that right is unambiguously contained in the easement.
 
OF NOTE
 
Federal (Pennsylvania)
Easements
Nationwide Life Ins Co v Commonwealth Land Title Ins Co - To exclude coverage under the ALTA 9 Endorsement, the title insurer must "except expressly" any restrictions it finds in the instruments. Title insurance companies bear the burden to detect and except those restrictions.

ATG MEMBERS | Underwriters' Bulletin

This content is for members only. Consider joining - see Membership Benefits
 
PROCEDURAL UPDATES
 
ATG Requires Co-Exam Approval to Issue - A co-exam, when an ATG underwriter reviews a commitment, policy, and/or Date Down Endorsement for approval to issue, is required, in some cases by ATG Regulations, in the following situations (from the October 2010 ATG Casenotes and Underwriters' Bulletin).
Recording Requirements Strictly Enforced - How to be sure your recordable documents meet all State of Illinois requirements and avoid recording delays and additional charges.
REMINDER: Order a Title Search - ATG mandates title searches by approved search providers when members issue ATG policies (see Regulation No. 3: Title Search Requirements). Our Order a Title Search page provides the resources you need to meet this requirement. Choose from our staff who can search select counties for you or from a large selection of approved members and independent providers in Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin.
REMINDER: 1099 Reporting - ATG has received numerous inquiries about the mechanics of satisfying the reporting requirements under Section 6045 of the Internal Revenue Code. We have gathered the information you need to understand and meet these requirements on the member section of our website, including an OnDemand seminar.
 

IN THE NEWS | ATG Moved Mt. Prospect Operations in January, ATG's Arden Miner Promoted to Subsidiary Executive VP

ATG Moving Mt. Prospect Office to Arlington Heights - As of January 25, our new address is:


2355 South Arlington Heights Road, Suite 100
Arlington Heights, IL 60005-4500
Phone: 847.357.1263 | Fax: 847.357.1369


The Mt. Prospect office closed for business on Monday, January 23. We look forward to serving you from our new location.
Arden Miner photoArden Miner Executive Vice President and CEO of ATG LegalServe, Inc. - Arden Miner was promoted to the top position at ATG LegalServe in early 2012. Many of you know her through her previous roles with ATG as Senior Manager of our Escrow and Underwriting Departments (read her full biography).

She brings more than ten years of experience and expertise to our process service subsidiary. Congratulations, Arden!
 

WHAT'S NEW | Member, CLE, Process, and Trust Services
 
ATG logo Re-Activate your ATG Membership - Has it been a while since you issued a policy? Are you ready to get started again? It's easy, and we can help. Make a small investment of time, start writing policies again, and add to your bottom line. Contact Member Services Representative Bob Dillow today!

Legal Ed Logo Sml Take More, Save More - Kick off the new year with built-in savings. Buy a Lawyer Discount Package and take any of our Live or 24/7 CLE programs now through December 31, 2012, for one low one-time payment - take 12 OnDemand programs and save over $400!


Coming Spring 2012 - Mark Your Calendar!
Subject to change, see ATG Legal Education Program Calendar for current information
  • February 22 | E-Town Hall: Update on Wisconsin Operations/Core Wisconsin Underwriting Issues (webcast)
  • March 2 | Title Insurance Concepts in Wisconsin (Madison)
  • March 7 | E-Town Hall: Update from the CEO/The Real Estate Market and New Legislation for 2012 (webcast)
  • March 14 | Short Sales: Basic Procedures and Strategies for Success (Pewaukee)
  • March 21 | E-Town Hall: Using Trust Reporter: Online Access to Trust Accounts/Small Trusts, Virtual Representation, and Family Settlement Agreements (webcast)
  • April 4 | E-Town Hall: ATG's New Website/Underwriting Assistance via ATG's New Website: A Review of Key Underwriting Issues (webcast)
  • May 2 | E-Town Hall: Claims Corner Round-Up/Practice Pointers on Avoiding Claims for Real Estate Attorneys and Title Agents (webcast)

See ATG Legal Education at www.atgf.com for our current program list.


ATG LegaLServe logo FAST AND FLEXIBLE: The Process Server Responsive to Your Needs - Get the finest process serving available to lawyers today. Learn what the LegalServe Difference can make in your practice and place your order today!

ATG Trust logo About Us: An Introduction - You can offer a full range of trust services, including an array of high-quality investment vehicles with proven performance results, many of which are typically available only to very high net worth individuals and institutions, through ATG Trust.

NOT A MEMBER YET? Learn about the benefits to you and your clients.

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Attorneys' Title Guaranty Fund, Inc. (ATG) and subsidiaries provide services for member attorneys and their real estate clients. ATG also works with lenders, Realtors, and other parties to ensure that each real estate transaction is completed in a professional and hassle-free manner. Contact us today! 800.252.0402.