Someone Put a Deed to Your Missouri Property in Another Name? What to Do Next
Most property owners assume their ownership is safe once the deed is recorded. In the vast majority of cases, it is. But deed fraud — sometimes called title theft — happens more often than most people realize, and Missouri is no exception. A forged signature, an impersonator at a closing table, or a bogus quitclaim deed filed at the recorder's office can cloud your title or, in the worst cases, purport to transfer your property to someone else entirely.
If that has happened to you, take a breath. Missouri law gives property owners real tools to undo a fraudulent transfer and hold the wrongdoer accountable. Here is how it works and what to do.
A Hypothetical Example
Hypothetical example for illustration only — not a real firm case: Suppose a homeowner in St. Louis County inherits a house from a parent, leaves it vacant while deciding what to do, and months later learns a quitclaim deed was recorded transferring the house to a stranger. She never signed anything and never met the supposed buyer. That is the kind of fact pattern this post addresses.
How Does Deed Fraud Happen?
Common schemes include:
- Forged signatures — forged signatures on a deed or power of attorney.
- Impersonation — someone poses as the owner at closing or before a notary.
- Targeted vacant property — fraudulent deeds recorded against vacant, inherited, or rental property, where the owner is unlikely to notice quickly.
- Family or acquaintance disputes — someone with access to personal information records a deed the owner never authorized.
A hard truth makes this possible: in most counties, the recorder of deeds records documents as they are presented. The office generally does not verify that a signature is genuine or that the person signing had authority. Recording a document does not make a forged deed valid — but the fraudulent deed still sits in the public record, clouding your title until a court or corrective process removes it.
Warning Signs
- Mail about your property stops arriving, or tax bills go to a different address.
- You receive notices of a sale, refinancing, or foreclosure you did not initiate.
- A title search — for example, during a refinance — reveals an unfamiliar deed or lien.
- Someone you do not know claims to own or occupy your property.
Step 1: Get the Records — Fast
Go to (or contact) the recorder of deeds in the county where the property sits and obtain certified copies of every suspicious document: the deed, any power of attorney, and anything recorded around the same time. Note names, dates, notary stamps, and legal descriptions. These records are the foundation of everything that follows — a criminal report, an insurance claim, or a lawsuit. Do not delay; deadlines can apply, and every week a fraudulent deed sits unchallenged is a week someone else might rely on it.
Step 2: Report It to Law Enforcement
Forging a deed is a crime in Missouri. Under §570.090 RSMo, forgery — including making, altering, or using a writing so that it purports to be made by someone else — is a class D felony. File a report with the law enforcement agency where the property is located, and provide the certified copies along with your sworn statement that you did not sign or authorize the transfer. Keep a copy of the report number. A criminal case punishes the wrongdoer, but it does not by itself fix your title — that usually requires civil action, which brings us to the next step.
Step 3: See a Real Estate Attorney About Clearing Your Title
An attorney can evaluate which civil tools fit your situation:
- Quiet-title action. Missouri's quiet-title statute, §527.150 RSMo, lets a person claiming an interest in real property sue anyone else claiming an interest, so the court can determine and declare each party's title. When a forged or unauthorized deed is the problem, a quiet-title judgment can declare that deed void and confirm you as the rightful owner. These suits are filed in the circuit court of the county where the property is located.
- Notice to the world. While litigation is pending, your attorney may record a notice of lis pendens, which warns potential buyers and lenders that the property's title is disputed.
Depending on the facts, additional claims — such as fraud or slander of title — may also be available.
Step 4: Notify Your Title Insurance Company
If you purchased an owner's title insurance policy when you bought the property, pull it out now. Owner's policies generally cover losses from forgery and other title defects, and many require the insurer to defend your title in court at its expense. Notify the insurer promptly in writing and follow the policy's claim procedures — late notice can jeopardize coverage.
Protecting Yourself Going Forward
- Check your county's recorder records periodically, especially for vacant, inherited, or rental property.
- Consider an owner's title insurance policy if you do not have one.
- Be cautious about signing quitclaim deeds or powers of attorney you do not fully understand, and keep personal documents secure.
- If you own property you do not occupy, make sure tax bills and official mail reach you.
You Do Not Have to Untangle This Alone
Discovering an unauthorized transfer of your property is frightening, but Missouri law is on the side of the true owner. The key is to act quickly: secure the records, report the crime, get experienced legal counsel involved, and put your title insurer on notice.
This post is for general information only and is not legal advice. Every situation is different.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: I never signed anything. How could a deed in my name get recorded?
A: In most Missouri counties, the recorder's office records documents as presented and generally does not verify signatures or authority. That is what makes deed fraud possible — but recording a forged deed does not make it legally valid, and courts can set it aside.
Q: How long do I have to challenge a fraudulent deed?
A: It depends on the legal theory — different claims carry different deadlines, and some run from when you discovered (or reasonably should have discovered) the fraud. Do not wait: talk to a real estate attorney promptly so no deadline passes while you decide.
Q: Will my title insurance cover this?
A: Often, yes. An owner's title insurance policy generally covers forgery and other hidden title defects, and the insurer may have to defend your title in court. Check your policy and give the insurer written notice as soon as possible.
Q: Should I call the police or a lawyer first?
A: Do both, and do them quickly. A police report documents the crime — forgery under §570.090 RSMo is a class D felony — while a real estate attorney can move immediately to protect your title, for example through a quiet-title action under §527.150 RSMo, before the fraudulent deed causes more damage.
Call to Action
If someone has tampered with the title to your Missouri property, talk to a lawyer before the problem grows. Call Williams Law at 888.249.9901 or visit www.williamslawusa.com.
The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely upon advertisements.