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July 2011 | Volume 4 · Number 5Some content is password-protected for ATG members only. Not an ATG member? Apply today! |
Update from ATG Administration
Status Report on HB 1293
 ATG Members: I want to thank you for your assistance in helping ATG lobby for passage of House Bill 1293. The bill passed through the Senate but was defeated in the House on the last day of the session by a very narrow vote. We believe that we have a good chance of having the bill recalled during the veto session and passed. We will be asking again for your support in the coming months. I am ever so grateful for the kindness of our membership in getting involved in these types of grassroots efforts. It is what makes ATG the premier lawyer service organization in the United States. Sincerely, Peter J. Birnbaum ATG President and CEO |
| ATTORNEYS | Practice Notes REAL ESTATE AND TITLE INSURANCE NEWS Civil Unions: Impact of Civil Unions on Real Estate — The Civil Union Act legally recognizes that partners to a civil union have the same rights as spouses in a marriage. Thus, all Illinois laws that refer to spousal relationships will also apply to civil unions. However, some laws use more specific language... read more LEGISLATIVE UPDATES Illinois Civil Unions PA 96-1513 — The Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Union Act legalizes civil unions between two persons of either the same or opposite sex... read more OF NOTE Massachusetts Unauthorized Practice of Law The Real Estate Bar Ass’n for Massachusetts, Inc v National Real Estate Information Services — Settlement service providers can do many things associated with real estate conveyances without the activities constituting unauthorized practice of law, but attorneys must be present at closing and “play a meaningful role” in the conveyance... read more CASENOTES Indiana Foreclosure; Mortgages Lacy-McKinney v Taylor, Bean, & Whitaker Mortgage Corp — A mortgagee's compliance with federal mortgage servicing responsibilities is a condition precedent that may be raised as an affirmative defense to the foreclosure of an FHA-insured mortgage... read more Wisconsin Boundary Lines; Common Usage and Acquiescence Northrop v Opperman — When a boundary line is not clear from the original deed or monuments and markers, a court should look to the best evidence available, including common usage and acquiescence, to determine its location... read more |
| ATG MEMBERS | Underwriters' Bulletin CLAIMS CORNER Judgments; Liens Judgment and Lien Basics — It is important to make sure that a name search is done for all the parties that could have judgment or liens that affect title. Failing to run a search on all necessary parties could result in a claim... read more PROCEDURAL UPDATES WARNING: Mortgage Fraud Highest in Certain Illinois Zip Codes - The Department of Financial and Professional Regulation has notified ATG that four zip codes in the Chicago area rank in the top 20 areas for mortgage fraud in the United States... read more REMINDER: Order a Title Search - ATG mandates title searches by approved search providers when members issue ATG policies (see Regulation No. 3: Title Search Requirements). Our Order a Title Search page provides the resources you need to meet this requirement. Choose from our staff who can search select counties for you or from a large selection of approved members and independent providers in Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin... read more |
| IN THE NEWS | NHS Holding FREE Events for Distressed Homeowners  At these events, homeowners struggling with their mortgage payments meet one-on-one with their servicer, a housing counselor, or volunteer who will determine if they qualify for the federal Home Affordable Modification Program, other loan modification, or Illinois' Hardest Hit Fund Homeowner Emergency Loan Program... read more
The first 2011 event has been scheduled:
Saturday, August 20 | Matteson, Ill.
9:00 a.m. - 12 noon
Future events will be held in Barrington and Elgin, Illinois. Watch this newsletter and our website for updates.
Attorneys/Support Staff: Volunteers for these events are always welcome. If you are free that Saturday morning and wish to give your time to a worthy cause, please contact Pat Washington at pwashington@nhschicago.org or 773-329-4136. |
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| WHAT'S NEW | Member, CLE, Process, and Trust Services  | Re-Activate your ATG Membership - Has it been a while since you issued a policy? Are you ready to get started again? It's easy, and we can help. Make a small investment of time, start writing policies again, and add to your bottom line. Contact Member Services Representative Bob Dillow today!
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|  | PROGRAM OF THE MONTH
Short Sales and Other Solutions for Distressed Homeowners
an ATG program
Get an in-depth analysis of how to navigate the types of transactions that are prevalant in today's economic climate, including short sales, foreclosures, deed in lieu of foreclosure, deed for lease, and loan modifications.
24/7 webcast
3.00 MCLE
OnDemand OnLine
Package Users | Attorneys | All Others
One Payment Buys ATG Legal Ed Seminars for One Year - With a Lawyer Discount Package, you pay once and get direct access to our library of more than 30 OnDemand programs PLUS our full 2011 calendar of live programs when they're available... read more
See ATG Legal Education at www.atgf.com for our full program list.
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|  | NEW WEBSITE, NEW FEATURE: Client Portal - From this page of www.atglegalserve.com, you can login and view the status of your files, see when your paper was served, view the details of service attempts, and even make secure online payments for services. Learn more and place your order now!
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|  | Exchange Tax Dollars for Investment Dollars: Offer Starker Exchange Services to Your Clients - ATG Trust Company can show you how to help your clients defer paying taxes on the gains earned from investment property and increase their wealth using tax-deferred dollars... read more
NOT A MEMBER YET? Learn about the benefits to you and your clients.
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[Last update: 7-29-11] |
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