During a title search, the person conducting the title search gathers all the legal documents they can find about the property. Using this information, they create an abstract of the title, which includes a chronology of transactions related to the property. This information may include the current owner, previous owners, previous surveys of the property, any easements that cross the property, and any relevant wills and lawsuits that involve the property.
Whereas a title search may stop at 40-60 years into the title history, a title abstract often investigates to the point in history where records are no longer available. An abstract is not required for every real estate purchase; our real estate attorneys can advise you whether an abstract is necessary.