Simple English definitions for legal terms
Read a random definition: Persuasive authority
Recording Acts: The recording acts refer to the laws that govern the recording of real estate transactions. When someone buys or sells property, the transaction is recorded in public records. This helps to establish who owns the property and protects the rights of the parties involved. The recording acts vary by state, but they generally require that certain information be included in the recording, such as the names of the parties involved and a legal description of the property.
The recording acts refer to the laws that govern the recording of real estate transactions. These laws require that certain documents related to the transfer of property ownership be recorded in a public registry, usually at the county level. The purpose of recording acts is to provide notice to the public of changes in property ownership and to establish a priority system for competing claims to the same property.
For example, if John sells his house to Jane, the deed transferring ownership must be recorded in the public registry. If John later tries to sell the same house to Bob, Bob's claim to the property would be inferior to Jane's claim because her ownership was recorded first.
Another example is a mortgage. When a borrower takes out a mortgage on a property, the mortgage is recorded in the public registry. This gives notice to potential buyers or lenders that the property is encumbered by a mortgage and establishes the priority of the mortgage holder's claim to the property.