Update on Municipal Clerk Litigation

As you recall, CATIC filed suit in November against a representative group of municipal clerks requesting emergency relief in the form of a court order requiring clerks' offices to remain open at usual and customary hours to allow for the inspection of public records while, of course, at the same time, requiring searchers to practice safe Covid protocol and protections.

The clerks managed to obtain an 11 week delay to our request for an emergency hearing! What emergency? Anyway, we are still pursuing the matter and a merits hearing is scheduled for January 28. Stay tuned.

In the meantime, please continue to share your "horror stories" with Andy. It is important that the Court hear up-to-date, accurate information about the state of the land records. Andy will also bring the matter to the attention of the Legislature at the earliest opportunity. Thank you.
January Lunch & Learn with VATC -- Mark Your Webinar Calendar!

DATE: January 12, 2021
TIME:  12:00 p.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Registration Required

Join Liz Smith and Andy Mikell for an in-depth discussion of Solar Panels (with those ever pesky UCCs) and Manufactured/Mobile Homes (with those ever pesky ALTA 7.1 endorsements). They’ll even throw in some helpful “up front tips” for title insurance that will save you time, energy and money.

Don’t miss this program! If you watch the whole program and don’t check your email (not even once), you’re entitled to 0.5 hours of CLE!

NOTE: You need to register below in order to receive an email with information to access the program!
Save the Date: VATC Lunch & Learn
February 10, 2021
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Current COVID-19 Underwriting Guidelines -Attention, please!

Even if you think you know the current protocol, please take one minute to be sure. Re-read current underwriting guidelines which became effective 11/18/20. Non-compliance is not an option.

Current Guidelines are here. Thanks!
Vermont Notary Public Commissions - It's renewal time!

If you are a Vermont Notary Public you should have received an email from the Office of Professional Regulation to renew your commission. Renewal must be accomplished through your Online Services Account by January 31, 2021. If you have any questions concerning your renewal, please email Kara Shangraw: kara.shangraw@vermont.gov

Notes:

  • If you renew now for 2023, your current commission remains active until 1/31/21.
  • For first-time notary applications, there is NO educational testing component now because that aspect does not kick in until the 2025 application cycle!

Reminder: Use of a notary stamp or seal that complies with statutory requirements is not only required by law but also eliminates all possibility of error and is strongly encouraged. Your $15 stamp should look like this:

Andrew D. Mikell
Notary Public State of Vermont
Commission Expires: 1/31/2023
Commission #: 0000773
Is Your Business Adequately Covered by Insurance in the Event of a Cyber Attack?
 
Ask yourself this question and, if you are not absolutely sure of the answer, now is the time to meet with your broker to review your insurance coverages to be sure that you have proper insurance to cover your business’ needs. For example, whether it is failing to protect sensitive data, falling victim to a wire transfer fraud, or being hit with a ransomware attack, you need to identify the area(s) of most concern to your business and implement various security measures, to ensure that you have proper coverages to assist in mitigating your losses. Danger lurks everywhere. Being prepared with the best coverage is critical. 

Click here to continuing reading.
Lau's Corner & Title Tips

1099-S Filing Deadline:

As the end of the year approaches, Form 1099-S filing season will begin. The Form 1099-S, along with the appropriate Form 1096 transmittal, must be submitted to the Internal Revenue Service no later than March 1, 2021, if filing on paper, or by March 31, 2021, if filing electronically. 

Please click here for more detailed information.

**Important Reminder** When filing IRS forms, be sure to use "official forms or forms that meet the specifications for substitute forms." While CATIC's PrepExpress® software contains a Solicitation/Substitute Form 1099-S that form has NOT been approved by the IRS and therefore should NOT be used for official filing purposes.