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Financial Services Law Insights and Observations

Texas Adds Statutes Regarding Scope and Validity of Corrected Instruments

State Issues

On May 28, the governor of Texas signed Senate Bill 1496, which added new sections regarding instruments that correct recorded original instruments to the Texas statutes. These new provisions provide that a correction instrument may correct an ambiguity or error in a recorded original instrument of conveyance to transfer real property or an interest in real property, including an ambiguity or error that relates to the description of or extent of the interest conveyed. The legislation states that a correction instrument may make nonmaterial corrections, such as corrections to legal descriptions, names, dates, or facts relating to the acknowledgment or authentication, but the person executing the document must disclose in the instrument the basis for the person’s personal knowledge of the facts relevant to the correction of the recorded original instrument of conveyance. A correction instrument may also make material corrections, such as adding a buyer’s disclaimer, a mortgagee’s consent or subordination, or additional land; removing land from a conveyance; or accurately identifying a lot or unit number that was inaccurately identified in the recorded original instrument of conveyance. While this legislation is slated to be effective September 1, 2011, a correction instrument that substantially complies with the statutory provisions recorded before that date will be given effect.