cloud

cloud on title (cloud)

n. an actual or apparent outstanding claim on the title to real property. "Clouds" can include an old mortgage or deed of trust with no recording showing the secured debt was paid off, a failure to properly transfer all interests in the real property (such as mineral rights) to a former owner, a previous deed which was improperly written or signed, an unresolved legal debt or levy by a creditor or a taxing authority, or some other doubtful link in the chain of title. Often the "cloud" can be removed by a quiet title action, by finding a person to create or execute a document to prove a debt had been paid or corrected. Title companies will refuse to insure title to be transferred with a "cloud," or they will insure ownership except for ("insure around") the "cloud." (See: chain of title, quiet title action, mortgage, deed of trust, reconveyance, title, title report)

cloud

(Incumbrance), noun burden, charge, claim, claim on property, commitment, debt, hold on property, hypothecation, indebtedness, indebtment, liability, obligation, obstruction, outstanding debt, pignus juuiciale, pignus legale, pledge, prescription, real security, restraint, security, security on property, state of indebteddess, vadium mortuum
Associated concepts: a cloud on personalty, a cloud on real property

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cloud

(Suspicion), noun apprehension, consternation, contestability, controvertibility, disbelief, disputability, distrust, distrustfulness, doubt, fear, hesitation, incredulity, incredulousness, lack of certainty, lack of confidence, lack of faith, misgiving, mistrust, mistrustfulness, onus probandi, perplexity, puzzlement, questionability, refusal to believe, refutability, reluctance to believe, skepticism, trepidation, unbelief, uncredulousness, want of certainty, want of confiience, want of faith

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See also: blind, camouflage, cloak, damper, ensconce, enshroud, hide, muddle, obfuscate, obnubilate, obscuration, obscure, tarnish, veil