By the Return to the Vault Committee

North Carolina notaries have an important new resource: the North Carolina Notary Public Manual (2026 Edition) (“Manual”), published by the UNC School of Government (“School of Government”) and prepared by the North Carolina Department of the Secretary of State.

According to the School of Government, the office of notary public plays a “critical role in preventing fraud” and helps ensure that important legal documents are properly completed and legally recognized. The Manual “provides statutory guidance, practical instruction, tips, and best practices for current and aspiring notaries.”

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By Andrea Davis

Check out Andrea’s Return to the Vault presentation on deed fraud. Watch the full program online.

One of the most common red flags for fraud is the sense of urgency that the scammer creates. Unfortunately for real estate attorneys, there is always a sense of urgency in real estate practice. Transactions involve a lot of money changing hands, and there are scammers passionate about taking a share of that cash.

Deed fraud is becoming a real threat, touching nearly every corner of real estate practice. Once thought of as rare or easily detectable, fraudulent conveyances are now more common, more sophisticated and more costly. Fraud schemes encompass a range of activities, including identity theft, falsification of deeds, seller impersonation, elder exploitation and wire fraud. When fraud occurs, the losses are often severe. Fraud-related title claims are more costly than others and often force property owners to spend time and money to recover their homes.

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By Andrea Davis

AI is everywhere right now — but what does it actually look like in real property practice?

Join the NCBA Real Property Section in Asheville, May 15-16, for a practical session on AI in real property practice with Andrea Davis, Vice President and State Counsel with Chicago Title.

Register for the Annual Meeting. 

What You’ll Learn

AI is already embedded in many of the tools attorneys use every day — from title software to document management systems — and is improving efficiency in tasks like document review, contract analysis and research.

Andrea’s session focuses on simple, practical applications, including:

• Contract review and drafting
• Summarizing documents
• Closing package organization
• Issue-spotting and double-checking work

She demonstrates how AI can assist with reviewing a commercial lease by generating a concise summary, flagging risks and negotiation points, and creating an attorney issue checklist. The key is structured prompting with guardrails, allowing attorneys to gain efficiency while maintaining control.

A central theme of the session is keeping a “human in the loop.” Attorneys must use AI in a way that aligns with professional obligations, including competence and supervision, confidentiality and clear client communication.

Takeaway

This session will give you practical tools you can use immediately, including sample prompts and real workflows, while reinforcing a critical principle: AI supports, but does not replace, attorney judgment.

Resources

• Getting Started with AI (practical guide)
• North Carolina Ethics Guidance (2024 FEO 1)
• ABA Formal Opinion 512 (AI & professional responsibility)
• ALTA AI Resources (title industry perspective)
• Thomson Reuters Overview (AI in law)

We hope to see you in Asheville!

By Natasha Branch

Even the cleanest title can hide problems.

At this year’s 2026 NCBA Real Property Section Annual Meeting in Asheville, Natasha Branch, Vice President of Education and Underwriting Counsel at Title Resources Group, will walk through how to spot lien and judgment issues early and handle them efficiently before they disrupt your closing.

Join us in Asheville on May 15-16: register online. 

 

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By Sarah Dorr and Mary Gallimore Walker

Each year, the North Carolina Bar Association Real Property Section’s Annual Meeting brings attorneys from across our State together for learning and connection. While the CLE content is always helpful, many attorneys say the true value of the Annual Meeting comes from being there in person. The conversations between sessions, the relationships built over meals and the opportunity to engage directly with colleagues who understand our work and practice make the experience especially meaningful.

Recognizing that cost can be a barrier to in-person attendance, the Real Property Section is introducing scholarships to attend the Annual Meeting, making the experience more accessible. The reflections below highlight the value of being together at the Annual Meeting and the Section’s commitment to encouraging broader participation.

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