Title Agents in Liquidation, Supervision, or Receivership
The following are the title agents (in alphabetic order) who have been placed in receivership or liquidation and are being or have been handled by TTIGA:
OPEN LIQUIDATIONS, SUPERVISIONS, AND RECEIVERSHIPS:
Millennium Closing Services, LLC d/b/a Millennium Title On January 25, 2016, the Travis County District Court entered an Agreed Order Appointing Liquidator and Permanent Injunction Against Millennium Closing Services, LLC d/b/a Millennium Title, finding Millennium Title to be insolvent and directing the Commissioner of the Texas Department of Insurance to liquidate the company. On the same day, the Commissioner of Insurance issued an order in which he found Millennium Title to be financially impaired, as defined by the Texas Insurance Code. This finding in turn triggered certain statutory responsibilities of the Texas Title Insurance Guaranty Association (“TTIGA”), including TTIGA’s responsibility to pay covered claims as defined by law resulting from shortages of escrow funds in the accounts of Millennium Title. If you have an interest in or possible claim against Millennium Title, please note the following information:
The Commissioner of Insurance has appointed the law firm Cantilo & Bennett, LLP, to serve as the Special Deputy Receiver (“SDR”) of the estate of Millennium Title. This means that they will be in charge of conducting the day-to-day operations necessary for liquidation of the title agency. You may contact the SDR at (512) 478-6000.NEW: To make a claim with the estate and the SDR, please see their website: http://www.millenniumtitlesdr.com/If you believe you are owed escrow funds that are or were being held by Millennium Title, please see the Notice to Claimants, Proof of Claim form, and Instructions:Click here for the Notice to Claimants.Click here for the Claim Form.Click here for Instructions. Please review the instructions before filling out the Claim Form.NOTE: A CLAIM FILING DEADLINE has been established by the Court to be November 15, 2016. Please get your claim documents ready and file by that date. Claims postmarked after that date cannot be paid by TTIGA.If you have questions about how to file your claim, or want to know whether your claim is a claim for escrow funds, you may contact by clicking here to email her: Reed Bates at the Texas Title Insurance Guaranty Association or by phone: (512) 480-5120.FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:Acknowledgment of Receipt: You should receive an acknowledgement memo in the regular mail addressed to the claimant at the address on the proof of claim form from TTIGA with your claim number and processing information within 30 days from receipt.Timing for paying Claims: The average time it is taking to process and pay a claim is approximately 2 to 3 weeks, dependent on the Claim and the Claimant; however, you should hear something from us within 60 days. There also may be times when we need more than 60 days to review a claim; however, we will notify you if we do.Taxes: Returned Checks for Taxing Authorities — TTIGA cannot pay the interest and penalties due, only the amount escrowed. The Buyer or Seller should pay the taxes ASAP and they will make 2 claims, one with TTIGA for the amount of the returned check/escrowed amount and one claim with the SDR at a later date for the interest and penalties, including the returned check fee. We cannot pay the taxing authorities directly, because many consider it only a partial payment and have rejected our checks. If your lender has paid the taxes, then make a claim and we will reimburse you for the escrowed amount and you can pay your lender.HOA fees: The same goes for HOA fees, as with Taxes above. TTIGA cannot pay the NSF fees for returned HOA fees check. A second claim for those should be filed with the SDR at a later date.Lienholders: TTIGA is barred by statute from paying those who have a lien against the property. The Buyer or Seller can make a claim and request for TTIGA to pay the lienholder OR the lienholder would need to release the lien and file the release with the county, and then send proof of release to TTIGA before TTIGA can pay a lienholder. And, again, a second claim would need to be made with the SDR for penalties and interest accrued since the escrow amounts.
Southern Title Insurance Corporation On December 20, 2011, pursuant to Title 38.2, Chapters 10 and 15 of the Virginia Code, the Circuit Court for the City of Richmond issued an Order that appointed the State Corporation Commission of the Commonwealth of Virginia as Receiver of Southern Title Insurance Corporation (“Southern Title”). Southern Title was also placed in Receivership April 19, 2012 in Virginia. Further, on August 30, 2012, the Texas Insurance Commissioner declared Southern Title impaired pursuant to the Texas Insurance Code, Chapter 2602, under Commissioner’s Order No. 12-0721. On July 28, 2014, the State Corporation Commission for the Commonwealth of Virginia entered its Order of Liquidation with a Finding of Insolvency (“Liquidation Order”) for Southern Title.
You may contact Southern Title’s Receiver in Virginia at 804-648-6000 or see the Virginia Receivership website.If you are insured by one of Southern Title’s policies and have a question or claim with Southern Title, please call them at (800) 468-0151 or email questions@southerntitle.com.If you need to report a claim with Southern Title, please see their information page on how to do so.For Texas property owners claims for monies in escrow, please read the Notice to Texas claimaints.Texas policyholders claim form and instructions. CLAIM FILING DEADLINE WAS JANUARY 28, 2015. The deadline has now past.If you have a Texas claim or questions on how to file a claim, you may contact Reed Bates at the Texas Title Insurance Guaranty Association or by phone: (512) 480-5120.
CLOSED LIQUIDATIONS, SUPERVISIONS, AND RECEIVERSHIPS:
Legacy Title Co., Ltd. d/b/a Ameritrust Title CompanyOn March 20, 2009, the Travis County District Court entered an Agreed Order Appointing Liquidator and Permanent Injunction against Legacy Title Co., Ltd. d/b/a Ameritrust Title Company (“Ameritrust”), finding Ameritrust to be insolvent. The estate closed on October 31, 2012. The deadline to file claims against this Receivership has past. See TDI’s website for final report.
Direct Title, LLCOn May 24, 2013, the Texas Commissioner of Insurance for the Texas Department of Insurance placed Direct Title, LLC (“Direct Title”) in Supervision and declared Direct Title an “impaired” title agency. The Commissioner appointed Doug Slape as the Supervisor of Direct. The designation of impairment triggered TTIGA into action as well. Contact the Supervisor, Doug Slape at the Department of Insurance by calling: (512) 676-6885 or (512) 676-6416. You can also email him at: Doug.Slape@tdi.texas.gov. The claim deadline with TTIGA has past. The estate is still open though, but contact the Supervisor to ask for the status.
Esquire Title, LLCOn July 22, 2008, the Travis County District Court entered an Agreed Order Appointing Liquidator and Permanent Injunction against Esquire Title, LLC (“Esquire”), finding Esquire to be insolvent. The deadline to file claims against this Receivership has past. The estate closed on July 3, 2013. See TDI’s website for a Final Accounting.
Mi Tierra Title, LLCOn February 25, 2009, the Travis County District Court entered an Agreed Order Appointing Liquidator and Permanent Injunction against Mi Tierra Title, L.L.C. (“Mi Tierra”), finding Mi Tierra to be insolvent. The deadline to file claims against this Receivership has past.
National Charity Title, Inc.On March 4, 2009, the Travis County District Court entered an Agreed Order Appointing Liquidator and Permanent Injunction against National Charity Title, Inc. (“National Charity”), finding National Charity to be insolvent. TTIGA did not apply to the court to handle the escrow funds shortage, because there were no claims. No forms have been developed either.
Southern Star Title Company, LLCOn January 8, 2009, the Travis County District Court entered an Agreed Order Appointing Liquidator and Permanent Injunction against Southern Star Title Company, LLC (“SST”), finding SST to be insolvent. The deadline to file claims against this Receivership has past. See TDI’s website for Final Report. The estate closed on March 21, 2014.
Texas Nations Title Agency, Inc.On July 16, 2009, the Travis County District Court entered an Agreed Order Appointing Liquidator and Permanent Injunction against Texas Nations Title Agency, Inc. (“Texas Nations”), finding Texas Nations to be insolvent. On March 22, 2010, the Judge approved a joint application between TTIGA and the Special Deputy Receiver (DKJ Group, Inc.) to work together on claims handling. See TDI’s website for Final Report. The estate closed on January 30, 2015. The deadline to file claims against this Receivership has past.
Title USA Insurance Corporation Formerly known as: USLIFE Title Insurance Company of Dallas (until 1985); Dallas Title & Guaranty Company (until 1972); and New Dallas Title & Guaranty Company (until 1971) This company was placed in receivership in 1989 and the receivership closed in 1998. However, if you are looking for your title file or other documents, they may be with Fidelity National Title Insurance Company. Please call (402) 970-3807 and ask for Michael Behrens. Additionally, claimants are invited to submit claims to Fidelity’s claim e-mail: titleclaims@fnf.com.
Webb County Title & Abstract Company, Inc.On January 11, 2008, the Travis County District Court entered an Agreed Order of Liquidation and Permanent Injunction against Webb County Title & Abstract Company, Inc. (“Webb”), finding Webb to be insolvent. The deadline to file claims against this Receivership has past. See TDI’s website for Final Report, and Final Accounting. The estate closed on April 24, 2012.