Bulletin: IN2014011

Dear Associates:

Bulletin SLS2013009 issued on August 4, 2013, required that both the JUSTIS system and the My Case/Odyssey system be searched for judgments in Marion County, Indiana. This requirement was due to the Marion County Clerk’s office switching to the new My Case/Odyssey system and a problem with certain case files not being transferred to the new system. Specifically, cases that were not active for two years were not transferred to the new system even though judgments rendered were still in the 10-year statute of limitations for judgment liens.

Until October 31, 2014, an online service, Civic Net, could be searched in lieu of JUSTIS. On October 31, 2014, Civic Net was shut down but the JUSTIS system was still available and searchable by the public. The title industry was informed that at some point in the near future, the records on the JUSTIS system would be converted into a new system searchable by the public. We have recently become aware that the Clerk’s office shut down the JUSTIS system earlier this week. We have been informed that in attempting to load data into new system, the system crashed. The Indiana Land Title Association and its lobbyist Charlie Hiltunen are working to resolve the situation. We have received tentative information that JUSTIS may be up and running by December 17 at the earliest. We will keep you informed of any further developments.

Because the accuracy of the judgment lien records is now questionable for searches initiated after the crash, the following exception must be included in commitments or updates until further notice:

Certain judgment lien data maintained by the Marion County Clerk’s Office is currently not available. As a result, we cannot provide an accurate judgment lien search. This policy does not insure against any loss or damage arising out of judgment liens filed in the Marion County Clerk’s office.

If you have access to a title plant in Marion County, the plant may have current judgment information through the date of the crash and the above exception may not be needed. Please check with the plant administrator.

If you have any questions relating to this or other bulletins, please contact a Stewart Title Guaranty Company underwriter.

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