Simple English definitions for legal terms
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A good and merchantable abstract of title is a summary of the history of a piece of land that includes all the important information about who owns it, any debts or liens on it, and any other factors that could affect its value or ownership. It is usually prepared for someone who is buying or mortgaging the property. A good and merchantable abstract of title shows that the property has a clear and marketable title, which means that there are no issues that could prevent the buyer from owning or selling the property in the future.
Definition: A good and merchantable abstract of title is a concise statement that summarizes the history of a piece of land, including all conveyances, interests, liens, and encumbrances that affect title to the property. It is usually prepared for a mortgagee or purchaser of real property. This type of abstract of title shows clear, good, and marketable title, rather than just the history of the property.
Examples:
These examples illustrate how a good and merchantable abstract of title is used to provide a summary of a property's ownership history and ensure that the title is clear and marketable. It is an important document for anyone buying or financing real estate.