NC Land Title Association Title & Practice

Customizing Title Insurance Coverage with ALTA Endorsements

Tracy Steadman — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 17:52:22 GMT

By: Jimmy Bryan

Vice President, Commercial Services Division and Title Counsel, Investors Title Insurance Company

General Counsel, North Carolina Land Title Association

When it comes to title insurance, the standard policy is only the starting point. Real estate transactions often involve unique risks, and that’s where ALTA endorsements come in. The American Land Title Association (ALTA) creates standardized endorsement forms used throughout the industry. The North Carolina Land Title Association (NCLTA) then works in concert with the North Carolina Department of Insurance (NCDOI) and the North Carolina Title Insurance Rating Bureau (NCTIRB) to ensure the endorsements, and the corresponding rates, are filed and approved for use in North Carolina.

These policy add-ons customize coverage for specific issues such as zoning, condominium ownership, future development, leaseholds, access, tax parcels, and more.

What Is an Endorsement?

An endorsement is an amendment or rider attached to a title insurance policy that provides additional or modified coverage for a particular transaction. While standard title insurance generally covers matters existing at the time the policy is issued, endorsements tailor the policy to address specific risks.

A few key points:

Standard policies are intentionally limited. They cover many title defects existing on the policy date, but they also contain broad exclusions and exceptions.
Endorsements narrow those gaps. They convert certain excluded risks into insured risks.
ALTA standardizes the forms and publishes standardized policy jackets and endorsement forms used nationwide.

ALTA endorsements are one of the most important tools for tailoring title insurance coverage to the realities of a transaction. Whether the issue is zoning compliance, condominium ownership, future development, leasehold rights, access, tax parcels, or construction financing, the right endorsement can shift significant risk away from the insured party.

Because underwriting requirements vary by insurer and jurisdiction, early coordination among counsel, surveyors, lenders, and title professionals is essential to obtaining the desired coverage.

To learn more about specific ALTA endorsements and related underwriting considerations, listen to “Episode 15: Common Title Endorsement Issues” from Investors Title’s NC Title Talkpodcast series at the links provided.

Liens and Judgements: The Hidden Villains

Tracy Steadman — Tue, 07 Jul 2026 14:07:06 GMT

By: Natasha Branch
Vice President, Education and Underwriting Counsel for North Carolina, Title Resources Group
Treasurer, North Carolina Land Title Association

Liens and judgments are a routine part of real estate practice. Most attorneys know how they arise, how to identify them in a title search, and how to move a file to closing. Yet lien issues continue to disrupt transactions and, in some cases, become title claims.

In my day-to-day work with closing attorneys and underwriters, one theme comes up consistently. Most lien problems are not caused by a lack of legal knowledge. They happen because facts surface late, assumptions go unchecked, and decisions are made under pressure.

The most challenging files usually involve liens that feel familiar. A contractor was 'paid,' work 'finished months ago,' or a lien waiver looks like one you have seen countless times. Those assumptions are often reasonable. They are also where risk begins.

Even the liens we consider routine still require careful analysis. Ad valorem taxes, HOA liens, judgment liens, and state tax liens are not difficult conceptually, but they are easy to oversimplify. Ownership changes, foreclosure timelines, and enforcement periods can all affect whether a lien remains relevant at closing.

Federal tax liens illustrate this point. These liens attach upon assessment but become effective against real property once a Notice of Federal Tax Lien is filed. Timing, refiling windows, and ownership structure all matter. A lien against one spouse raises different issues when property is held as tenants by the entirety. An older notice that appears stale may still be enforceable if it has been properly refiled. These nuances frequently affect whether a lien must be paid or released at closing.

Mechanics’, laborers’, and materialmen’s liens present the greatest risk. The issue is not that the statute is unclear. It is how the statute operates in practice. A properly perfected lien relates back to the date of first furnishing rather than the filing date. Strict statutory deadlines govern both filing and enforcement. Those rules create exposure when the facts surrounding construction are incomplete or misunderstood.

The lien agent system was designed to improve transparency, but it has also introduced new challenges. The absence of a filed lien does not necessarily mean the absence of risk. Independent verification of lien agent activity, including review of active or renewed notices, is essential to reduce exposure.

Lien waiver forms are another common source of risk. The NCLTA forms are not interchangeable. Each form reflects a specific set of factual and underwriting assumptions. Using the wrong form does not simply create a technical issue. It can leave unresolved lien rights tied to the property.

Many of the situations discussed during my presentation at the 2026 NCBA Real Property Section Annual Meeting were drawn from real questions that arise shortly before closing. They often begin with a familiar phrase: 'This probably isn’t an issue, but…' These situations rarely have clear, checklist answers. Instead, they require stepping back and asking a few additional questions. Who ordered the work? When was it performed? Has it actually been paid? Does the documentation match the underlying facts?

For attorneys handling these issues in practice, the takeaway is straightforward. Verify lien-related facts independently. Do not rely solely on verbal assurances. Match the lien waiver form to the actual circumstances of the project. Involve underwriting early when facts are incomplete or inconsistent.

Most lien issues are manageable when they are identified early. More difficult situations tend to arise when a file feels routine and no one stops to confirm what is actually happening beneath the surface. In this area of practice, the most valuable skill is not identifying the statute. It is recognizing when something warrants a closer look before moving forward.

Building Community and Strengthening Practice: My Experience with NCLTA

Tracy Steadman — Tue, 05 May 2026 12:10:03 GMT

Post By: Mary Gallimore Walker

Some of the best advice I’ve been given is to surround yourself with good people – and membership in the North Carolina Land Title Association (NCLTA) makes that easy to do.

The Value of Membership

When I first joined NCLTA, I knew membership would provide access to education and resources, but I didn’t fully expect how quickly I would find supportive community.

NCLTA provides a statewide forum for sharing information about the title industry, bringing together Underwriter, Agent, Attorney, and Associate members to stay informed on the issues and trends affecting real property practice in North Carolina. While NCLTA’s mission to strengthen the title industry is vital, the relationships formed through the Association have been its greatest value to me.

Attending the NCLTA Annual Convention has been especially helpful. The CLE programs are practical, the resources are useful, and the connections are invaluable. I come away knowing I have knowledgeable friends and colleagues I can call – whether it’s Chris Burti for a case law question, Nancy Ferguson for legislative updates, Andrea Davis about a title requirement, or Natasha Branch regarding a closing challenge.

These relationships and many others formed through this organization have already enriched my practice and life in meaningful ways.

Stay Informed and Connected

Membership in NCLTA goes beyond the Annual Convention, it keeps you connected to timely information and practical tools that support your day-to-day work:

Title & Practice: The NCLTA Blog – Practical insights, legal updates, and industry news tailored for North Carolina land title professionals.
Carolina Update Newsletter – Regular communications highlighting legislative developments, regulatory changes, and important industry trends.
Members-Only Discussion Board – A collaborative forum where you can ask questions, share experiences, and learn from colleagues across the state.
Enterprise Justice (Odyssey) Support – Dedicated resources and a centralized email channel to assist members with Odyssey-related questions.

These resources are designed to help you stay current, work more efficiently, and feel supported by a community that understands your practice.

Join Us in 2026

For our current members, thank you for your continued commitment to NCLTA. I encourage you to explore the latest member resources and mark your calendars for this year’s Annual Convention.

If you are not yet a member, I invite you to join NCLTA in 2026. If you have questions about membership or renewal, please feel free to reach out to me directly at (336) 754-8475 or mwalker@glcglaw.com. Additional information and applications are available on the NCLTA website.

Save the date for the 2026 NCLTA Annual Convention which will be held at the Cavalier Resort in Virginia Beach, Virginia, from September 17–19.

I look forward to connecting with you in the year ahead!

Introducing Title & Practice and New NCLTA Resources: Practical Support for North Carolina Land Title Professionals

Tracy Steadman — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 14:10:36 GMT

We’re excited to launch Title & Practice, the NCLTA blog focused on practical insight for North Carolina land title professionals.

The blog, now a part of the NCLTA website, is intended to be a straightforward, useful resource – something you can turn to for clarity on issues that arise in practice, updates on developments and legislation affecting our industry, and NCLTA news and events. It will also feature perspectives from our colleagues on emerging issues.

To access the blog, click on the “Resources” tab and then on “Title & Practice: The NCLTA Blog” in the drop-down menu. You may also access the blog by clicking on the green blog icon on the home page.

In addition to the blog, we are introducing several new resources designed to support your work.

New NCLTA Resources

Member Discussion Board

The NCLTA member discussion board provides a space to connect with other professionals across the state to ask questions, share insight, and learn from one another.

Whether you are working through a specific issue or looking for perspective on a recurring question, the discussion board is intended to facilitate practical, peer-to-peer exchange.

To access the Discussion Board, log in to your NCLTA account. Once logged in, you will see “Discussion Board” under the “Resources” tab. You may also access it by clicking the green Discussion Board icon on the home page.

Submit a Question: Enterprise Justice (Odyssey)

Enterprise Justice (Odyssey) has now rolled out in all 100 North Carolina counties. While statewide implementation is a significant milestone, we recognize that inconsistencies remain and practical questions continue to arise in day-to-day practice.

To support our members as the system continues to evolve, NCLTA and the NCBA Real Property Section have collaborated to create a dedicated email resource for Enterprise Justice (Odyssey)-related questions.

Questions may be submitted via email at odysseynclta@gmail.com

For more information on how to submit a question, go to the “Enterprise Justice (Odyssey) Support” tab.

Looking Ahead

These resources are intended to be practical, accessible, and responsive to the needs of title professionals working across North Carolina. We hope the NCLTA website becomes a resource you return to regularly.

We invite you to post questions and responses to the Discussion Board, submit questions to the Enterprise Justice (Odyssey) Support Team and share ideas for future blog posts.

If you are interested in contributing to the blog or have topic suggestions that may be helpful to colleagues, please contact Mary Gallimore Walker at mwalker@glcglaw.com.