Service 02

Title Services

Comprehensive title work — from search and examination to insurance, curative work, and 1031 exchange coordination.

What We Offer

Protecting your ownership from day one

Title Searches & Title Examination

Our in-house team conducts exhaustive title searches through county records, tracing the chain of title back decades. We identify every lien, easement, encumbrance, judgment, and defect — then prepare a detailed title abstract so you know exactly what you are buying. Every examination is reviewed by an experienced title attorney before the commitment is issued. In Tennessee and Georgia, where property histories can stretch back generations, thorough title work is not optional — it is essential.

Title Insurance — Owner's Policy

An owner's title insurance policy protects your equity for as long as you own the property. If a covered title defect surfaces years after closing — an undisclosed heir, a forged deed, a missed lien — your policy covers legal defense costs and financial loss up to the policy amount. It is a one-time premium paid at closing with lifetime coverage. We issue policies through the nation's most trusted underwriters, giving you ironclad protection you can count on.

Title Insurance — Lender's Policy

Required by virtually every mortgage lender, the lender's title insurance policy protects the lender's security interest in the property. We issue lender's policies in coordination with the owner's policy, ensuring both you and your lender are fully protected from the moment of closing. Our simultaneous issue rates mean you pay significantly less when both policies are issued together.

Title Clearance & Curative Work

When a title search uncovers clouds on title — old liens, missing signatures, boundary disputes, unreleased deeds of trust — our curative team goes to work. We contact lienholders, negotiate releases, obtain quiet title judgments when necessary, and resolve every issue before your closing date. No problem is too complex. We have cleared title issues ranging from century-old mineral rights claims to recently discovered probate gaps — and we do it without delaying your closing.

Deed Preparation

We draft all types of deeds — warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, special warranty deeds, and fiduciary deeds — with exacting attention to legal descriptions, vesting language, and recording requirements. Every deed is reviewed by counsel and prepared in compliance with Tennessee and Georgia statutory requirements. Proper vesting is one of the most overlooked details in real estate transactions, and getting it wrong can create title problems that surface decades later.

Document Preparation & Review

From the purchase agreement through the HUD-1 or Closing Disclosure, we prepare and review every document in your closing package. We cross-check lender instructions, verify prorations, confirm payoff figures, and ensure every figure on the settlement statement is accurate to the penny. Our document review process catches errors that other title companies miss — saving you money, time, and legal headaches.

Notary Services

Our team includes commissioned notaries public who can notarize deeds, affidavits, powers of attorney, and all other closing documents. We offer both in-office and mobile notary services throughout our service areas in Tennessee and Georgia. For out-of-state signers, we coordinate with qualified notaries in your area and handle remote online notarization where permitted by law.

1031 Exchange Coordination

For investors executing like-kind exchanges under Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code, we coordinate with your qualified intermediary to ensure the exchange timeline is met, funds are properly held, and title transfers are sequenced correctly — so your tax deferral remains secure. Missing a 1031 deadline by even one day can trigger a six-figure tax liability, which is why we treat exchange transactions with an extra layer of urgency and attention.

RiverStone Title — thorough title examination and research in Tennessee and Georgia

Why Riverstone Title

We find what others miss — and fix what we find

Title work is not a commodity. The difference between a rushed title search and a thorough one can mean the difference between a peaceful closing and a lawsuit years later. At Riverstone Title, we invest the time it takes to get it right — because we know the properties, the courthouses, and the legal landscape of Tennessee and Georgia inside and out.

Our title examiners are not third-party vendors — they work in-house, which means quality control is direct, communication is instant, and accountability is clear. Every abstract is reviewed at multiple levels. Every commitment is checked twice. And if a problem surfaces, our curative team has the experience and the relationships to resolve it without drama.

In-House Abstractors

Attorney-Reviewed

Top-Rated Underwriters

Our Process

From search to policy — here is how it works

Order the Title Search

Once we receive your contract, we immediately initiate the title search. Our abstractors visit the county courthouse — or access digitized records — to examine every deed, mortgage, judgment, tax record, and plat map affecting the property, typically tracing the chain of title back at least sixty years.

Examine & Prepare the Abstract

Our title examiners review the abstractor's findings and prepare a detailed title abstract — a chronological history of every recorded document affecting the property. This is reviewed in-house by a senior examiner and, where appropriate, by an affiliated real estate attorney.

Issue the Title Commitment

We issue a title commitment to all parties, listing every exception, requirement, and condition that must be satisfied before the title insurance policy can be issued. This document is your roadmap to a clean closing.

Resolve Title Issues

If the commitment identifies clouds on title, our curative team resolves them. We contact lienholders, negotiate releases, file quiet title actions when necessary, and clear every requirement before the closing date.

Closing & Policy Issuance

Once all requirements are satisfied, the transaction closes and we record the new deed and deed of trust. Within weeks after closing, you receive your final title insurance policy — the document that protects your ownership for as long as you hold the property.

50+

Years Combined Experience

100%

Attorney-Reviewed

Zero

Missed Title Defects

2 States

TN & GA Coverage

Frequently Asked Questions

Title questions, answered plainly

What exactly is title insurance, and why do I need it?

Title insurance is a one-time premium paid at closing that protects your ownership rights to the property for as long as you or your heirs own it. Unlike other insurance that protects against future events, title insurance protects against past events — forgery, fraud, undisclosed heirs, recording errors, and missed liens. Without an owner's policy, you could lose your entire investment if a title defect surfaces after closing. The premium is a small price for a lifetime of protection.

What is the difference between an owner's policy and a lender's policy?

An owner's policy protects your equity in the property — the money you have invested. A lender's policy protects only the lender's security interest up to the loan amount. If a title defect arises, the lender's policy pays the lender; the owner's policy pays you. Both are important, but only the owner's policy protects your personal financial stake in the property.

What kinds of problems does a title search uncover?

Title searches routinely uncover unpaid property taxes, old mortgages that were never properly released, judgments against previous owners, easements that restrict property use, boundary line disputes, missing signatures in the chain of title, and errors in legal descriptions. In older properties common throughout Tennessee and Georgia, we also find mineral rights reservations, forgotten heirs, and ancient restrictive covenants. Every one of these issues must be resolved before you can receive clear title.

How long does a title search take?

A standard residential title search typically takes 5 to 10 business days, though we can often expedite it to as little as 2 to 3 days when necessary. Commercial properties and properties with complex histories may take longer. We begin the search immediately upon receiving your contract so it never becomes the bottleneck in your transaction.

What happens if the title search finds a problem?

That is exactly what our curative team is here for. Most issues — unpaid liens, old mortgages, judgment releases — can be resolved through communication and negotiation with the relevant parties. More complex issues may require legal action such as a quiet title proceeding. We keep you informed throughout the process and work diligently to resolve every issue before your scheduled closing date. In our experience, the vast majority of title defects are cleared well before closing.

Is title insurance required in Tennessee and Georgia?

If you are financing your purchase with a mortgage, your lender will almost certainly require a lender's title insurance policy. An owner's policy is optional but strongly recommended — it is the best way to protect the largest investment most people ever make. In both Tennessee and Georgia, title insurance rates are filed with and regulated by the state department of insurance, so you can be confident the premium is fair.

Your title deserves expert protection

Let our experienced title team safeguard your investment with thorough research, comprehensive insurance, and meticulous document preparation.

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