Bill > S1203

This bill amends Chapter 184 of the Massachusetts General Laws to provide a legal mechanism for clarifying property titles that have technical defects or irregularities in recorded documents. Specifically, the bill establishes that if a property-related document is recorded in the registry of deeds and contains certain minor technical flaws—such as issues with seals, acknowledgment forms, witness signatures, execution methods, or authority of signatories—those defects will not invalidate the document if 10 years have passed since recording without a legal challenge. The types of technical irregularities covered include problems with execution forms, power of attorney documentation, corporate signatory authority, and various administrative details. The bill applies retroactively to documents recorded before, on, or after the effective date, with an exception for documents already subject to ongoing legal proceedings challenging their validity. This legislation aims to reduce uncertainty in property titles by automatically validating documents with technical imperfections after a decade, thereby providing more stability and clarity in real estate transactions.

Justice

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S1203