North Florida Title and Trust Services

Your Trusted Title and Trust Professionals

Our Services

Residential

Residential

Residential title and trust services typically involve processes related to property ownership and transactions
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Land

Land

We follow strict timelines that allow borrowers to better know before they owe.
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Commercial

Commercial

We work with buyers, sellers, developers, investors, landlords and homeowners.
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Other

Other

We also provide trustee, notary, and escrow services.
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About Us

North Florida Trust and Title Services is a leading title insurance company dedicated to meeting the title insurance and closing requirements of the real estate industry. A trusted entity with over 20 years of excellence in providing title insurance and overseeing real estate closings in North Central Florida. North Florida Title and Trust Services is committed to maintaining a superior standard of service.

Our commitment to exceptional service remains unwavering in the face of the dynamic real estate market. While the industry evolves, our dedication to customer satisfaction remains a constant benchmark. We continually invest in cutting-edge technology to enhance accuracy and efficiency, ensuring optimal outcomes for our clients. Backed by robust legal resources, we uphold the highest integrity in our transactions, fulfilling our pledge to transparent and honest dealings.

Meet The Team

What Clients Say About Us

Let's Get Started On Your Title

Protect your investment with our comprehensive title services – contact us today!

Ensure your property is secure with a complete title search

North Florida Title and Trust Services places the utmost importance on our existing and prospective customers. They are essential to our existence, shaping us into a reliable, courteous, accurate, and highly service-oriented entity. Acknowledging the value of customer input, we adeptly incorporate their innovative ideas and constructive criticism.

Integrity is paramount in all our transactions. We steadfastly adhere to and comply with all legal regulations. Our commitment to values and standards remains unwavering, and we do not compromise them for financial gains.

News & Views

Title Talk: Conversations About Property Ownership

In the realm of property ownership, having essential conversations about titles is the key to a secure real estate journey.

Title Basics 101: Simplifying Property Ownership

Whether you're a first-time homebuyer or a seasoned investor, understanding the basics is crucial.

Smooth Transactions: Your Step-by-Step Title Guide

Remember, a clear understanding of the title process is your key to ensuring that every transaction is successful one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Although title to your property may appear to be free and clear following the title search, there may be hidden defects that can surface in the future. For instance, there may be a forged deed in the chain of title or a secret marriage, an undisclosed heir, or an invalid divorce. In any of these situations there may be one or more people who have a claim against your title. These are the kinds of things your title company would be required to defend on your behalf.

The title insurance premium is a one-time premium paid at settlement when you purchase the property. Typically, there is a policy issued to the owner and one to the lender, if any. If you are borrowing money from a bank or mortgage company, the lender will require you to purchase title insurance to cover the loan amount. The owner is protected for the entire time he is in title of the property. Should a claim arise during that time period, the title insurance company would be responsible for settling the same, if it is not specifically excluded from the insurance, including payment of legal fees.

As you can see, title insurance is something you cannot afford to be without. Although the title search may show the title is free and clear, others may have a legitimate claim against your home in the future. Protect your investment with title insurance.

In preparation for issuing the title insurance policy, the title company will do a title search in the courthouse, which goes back at least 60 years. All owners in the chain of title are checked for judgments and mortgages, which will need to be cleared so the buyer is assured of a good title. All easements and restrictions are noted so the buyer is aware of what the property is subject to.

In addition, the title company makes sure that all real estate taxes and water and sewer bills are paid in full. Any open items will be paid at closing.

All documents necessary for transfer of title and financing are prepared and/or reviewed by the title company. A Closing Disclosure, ALTA Settlement Statement or HUD-I Settlement Statement is prepared for settlement.

There is a one-time premium for the title insurance policy, which is based on the purchase price of the property. This premium covers the cost of two policies, one for the owner and one for the lender, if any. The policy is good for as long as you, or your heirs, own the property. It provides for coverage of legal expenses to defend a claim, as well as reimbursement in the event of a loss. The premium is included in the closing costs that you pay at the settlement. Please feel free to call us for a quote on the exact cost.

Closing costs are third party and lender expenses, over and above the price of the property.  These are the fees that buyers and sellers normally incur to complete a real estate transaction and to obtain the financing needed to purchase the home.  Costs incurred may include loan origination fees, discount points, appraisal fees, title searches, title insurance, surveys, taxes, deed-recording fees and credit report charges.  Prepaid costs are those that recur over time, such as property taxes and homeowner’s insurance.

Origination Fees are fees charged by the bank for the creation of a loan.  The buyer can opt to purchase discount points to reduce the interest rate charged by the bank.

Title Insurance protects real estate owners and lenders against any property loss or damage they might experience because of liens, encumbrances or defects in the title to the property.

Defects are things such as another person claiming an ownership interest, improperly recorded documents, fraud, forgery, liens, encroachments, easements and other items that are specified in the insurance policy.

Lenders often require an appraisal to obtain a mortgage and this fee would be included in total closing costs as well.

Closing costs can be paid by either the buyer or the seller.  However, except for the appraisal charge, closing costs are paid at the closing table, including any required down payment funds.

Closing costs in our market (all inclusive) run approximately $2,200.  There are some programs that require higher fees, (for example an extra discount fee charge because of the program).  Escrows or “prepaids” are in addition to closing costs.

All parties meet to sign necessary documents to transfer title and complete financing.  The title company representative explains each document.  The title company handles the collection and disbursement of all funds, including, but not limited to, payment of all open taxes, final water/sewer bills, commissions., payoff of liens and disbursement of proceeds to Seller.

The deed and Mortgage, if any, are recorded in the courthouse. Title is checked from the date of the original search to the date of recording for any additional items.  All liens are paid off and removed from record.  Finally, a title insurance policy is prepared and sent to the Owner and Lender, if any, along with the original recorded documents.

Donna Peluso

License Title Agent

Meet Donna Peluso, a dedicated licensed title insurance professional with exceptional skills in communicating and working with realtors, lenders, buyers, and sellers.  Donna has over 20 years of experience in the title insurance industry, with in-depth knowledge of real estate procedures and all aspects of title insurance.  Donna is committed to ensuring every closing transaction is smooth and stress-free for all parties involved.  In Donna’s spare time, she loves to kayak down Florida’s beautiful springs and enjoy all that the beautiful outdoors has to offer.

Elaine Middleton

Office Administrator 

Elaine Middleton has a history of helping people. With nearly four decades of military and government work as a paralegal, she understands the importance of looking after everybody—making sure things are where they are supposed to be, and on time. At North Florida Title and Trust Services, she continues her outreach in the role of title processor, extending her skills and compassion to the civilian sector.

Charlie Douglas

Attorney

Charlie Douglas was born and raised in Palatka, Florida. After graduating valedictorian of his high school class, Charlie attended the University Of Florida Warrington College Of Business, where he served as a Student Government Cabinet Director and graduated summa cum laude with a degree in Business Administration.

During law school at the University of Florida, Charlie served as Editor-in-Chief of the Florida Law Review and graduated second in his class of 211 students. Charlie was also inducted as a member of the Order of the Coif and Florida Blue Key.

In 2007, Charlie gained national recognition for his fight to free a Texas man, Tyrone Brown, who had been sentenced to life in prison after testing positive once for marijuana while on probation. Hearing that Mr. Brown had already served nearly 17 years of the life sentence, Charlie launched a lengthy grass-roots advocacy campaign that resulted in Mr. Brown’s Freedom.

Charlie has also fought against the tobacco industry and was previously named by the Lawton Chiles Foundation as Florida’s Youth Advocate of the Year. For those efforts, the American Legacy Foundation asked Charlie to serve as a national spokesperson to help expose the truth about tobacco company tactics.

Charlie’s passionate representation and advocacy for his clients led Florida Super Lawyers Magazine to recognize Charlie as a “Rising Star,” which is an award reserved for less than 2.5% of attorneys in Florida under the age of 40.

Charlie is a licensed pilot for airplane single engine land; instrument airplane; and rotorcraft helicopter.  In his spare time, Charlie enjoys flying, hunting, fishing, and all water sports.

Jeremiah Blocker

Attorney

Jeremiah was born and raised in Ocala, Florida, and is a sixth-generation Floridian. Public service is important to his family with his father, uncle, and all four brothers having served as combat veterans in the Armed Forces.

He is a graduate of the University of Florida, where he obtained a degree in History. While attending college, he participated in the Army ROTC program, commissioning as a Second Lieutenant upon graduation.

As a veteran, Jeremiah served as an Army officer for over 13 years, both on active duty and in the reserves. A veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Jeremiah commanded a Military Police company. In addition to his Army service, Jeremiah served as a Judge Advocate General officer in the Air Force Reserve in the position of Staff Judge Advocate for Homestead Air Reserve Base, Florida. He continues his military service in the Florida Army National Guard as a Judge Advocate General officer with the rank of Major.

As a decorated combat veteran, some major awards Jeremiah has received include: Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal with two oak leaf devices, Air Force Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, and the Combat Action Badge.

Jeremiah attended law school in Jacksonville, Florida, and graduated from the Florida Coastal School of Law. After passing the Florida Bar, Jeremiah continued his legal studies at the University of Miami School of Law in Coral Gables, earning a Master of Law in Real Property Development.

In addition to a law degree, Jeremiah has a graduate degree in Business Entrepreneurship from the University of Florida and a graduate degree in Military History from Norwich University in Vermont.

Before transitioning into private practice, Jeremiah served as a state prosecutor in Jacksonville, Florida, and later in the Seventh Judicial Circuit.  Today, as a partner in Douglas Law Firm, Jeremiah concentrates on assisting small businesses and veterans.

Jacob McCrae

Attorney

Before joining Douglas Law Firm, Jacob was a partner in the North Florida Lawyers firm. While a partner, he handled a variety of case types. He continued to heavily practice in the area of criminal law where he handled cases from first-degree murder to Driving Under the Influence (DUI). He also practiced civil law. He has handled small-claim cases, homeowner association disputes, guardianship matters, and much more.

He started as an Assistant State Attorney where he worked for nearly twelve years. He served all across the State in a variety of circuits and in front of a variety of judges. Having tried over 50 jury trials and conducting countless motion hearings, he has handled almost any issue that could present itself in criminal litigation. Jacob also has an extensive background in white collar crime organized crime, and complex narcotics investigations. He participated in investigating and prosecuting such cases while serving in the Duval County State Attorney’s Office Special Prosecution Unit for over three years.

Currently Jacob also serves as an Assistant Judge Advocate General (JAG) in the Air Force reserves. He quickly obtained the rank of Captain and completes his annual trainings and duty at his base at Robins Warner Air Force Base. As a reservist, Jacob had to complete the challenging Officer Training School (OTS) and Judge Advocate General Staff Officer Courses (JASOC). As an Assistant Staff Judge Advocate, Jacob has gained an extensive knowledge of Trust and Estates. Jacob has helped many service members in this field of law. In 2021, he was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal.

Before beginning his career as an Assistant State Attorney, Jacob attended law school at the Stetson University College of Law. While a Stetson, Jacob completed a two-year clerkship with a local private attorney where he worked on all facets of different civil and criminal law cases. Jacob was also able to benefit from Stetson’s nationally renowned Trial advocacy program and had one of the highest rated mock trials among his peers in his Trial Advocacy course. Jacob also partook in the school’s certified legal internship program, where he became a de facto prosecutor with the Pinellas County State Attorney’s Office. He helped try a DUI case even before becoming an attorney and also argued motions to suppress. Upon graduation, he received the Pro Bono award for his community service.

Jacob currently lives in Jacksonville, Florida with his six-year-old daughter. Currently his interests include working out, community growth, and trying to keep up with his daughter’s constantly changing fascinations.

Jason Odom

Attorney

Originally from South Carolina, Jason joined the SC Army National Guard as a military policeman directly out of high school. While in the Army, he served at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba as a prison guard at Camp Delta, and received multiple commendations for his 10 years of service. After returning home, Jason enrolled part time at Southern Wesleyan University and graduated cum laude with a bachelors in management.

Jason also worked for CSX Transportation as a conductor and engineer for 10 years, working out of Cayce, SC, Florence, SC and then Charleston, SC. While working at CSX, he was also a local chairman for the United Transportation Union (now SMART Union) for 7 years, protecting the rights of conductors and engineers. Sadly enough, his railroad career ended with a neck and back injury, resulting in numerous surgeries. Wanting to continue to help his fellow railroaders, he then enrolled at Florida Coastal School of Law where he graduated with Pro Bono honors. At Florida Coastal, he was the Parliamentarian of the Military Law Society, which worked with various community organizations that helped local veterans.

While in law school, Jason became a Guardian ad Litem, volunteering to protect the rights of children in Duval County.   Jason is an Accredited Veterans Attorney, and a former Adjunct Professor at Florida Coastal School of Law teaching the Veterans Benefits Clinic and Seal and Expunge Clinic. Jason is admitted to the Middle District of Florida, the former editor of the Railroad Section of the American Association of Justice, and a 2013 FJA Al Cone Graduate.

When Jason is not busy practicing law, he enjoys reading and spending time with his family and their dog, Butter.