IS THE SECRECY OF A LAND TRUST LAWFUL? RANDY HUGHES
Since title to property ownership is public information
So, why is it important to record title in an individual’s
many real estate owners and real estate investors
name or the Trustee of a land trust? Everyone who
opt to take title to their real estate investments in
owns property places in the public records some
land trusts. Land trusts hold title in the name of a
kind of document recording their interest. Failure to
Trustee and the trust itself. The Beneficiaries of the
do so raises the risk that subsequent purchasers or
Land Trust are not disclosed to the public and are
creditors of a previous owner may deprive the
only named in the Trust Agreement, a non-recorded
present claimant of his title. But it is also true that the
contract between the Trustee and the Beneficiary.
recorded title need not disclose the personal name
The Beneficial Owners can be individuals, a
or identify him/her in any way! Instead, a nominee,
corporation, a Limited Liability Company or an