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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#002060">This is a late answer to Josh Grant’s question posted 8/20/15.  There should be no debate or issue that 61.16.030 applies to the duties of a lender to provide
 the request for reconveyance to show the release of the mortgage.  In theory, one could proceed directly to obtain a judicial declaration of release of that mortgage and seek fees.  That has never been an expeditious solution.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#002060">I recommend using the procedures of 61.24.110.  If the lender fails to process the release, 61.24.110(2) authorizes the borrower/property owner to request the
 Trustee directly.  I find Trustees are not willing to assume that burden, which was expected.  That’s why 61.24.110(3) does not require the prior step and directly authorizes the escrow that conducted the payoff to directly proceed to record that declaration. 
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#002060">Feel free to call to discuss.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#002060"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#002060">Dwight A. Bickel</span></b><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#002060"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:gray">Regional Counsel</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:gray"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:gray">Fidelity National Title Group</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:gray"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#002060">Legislative Committee Co-Chair</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#002060"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#002060">Washington Land Title Ass'n<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:gray">Phone: (206) 370-3189</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:navy"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:gray">E-mail:
</span><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#002060"><a href="blocked::mailto:Dwight.Bickel@fntg.com"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:gray">Dwight.Bickel@fntg.com</span></a></span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:gray"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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