A robust financial foundation isn’t just about savings and investments—it also includes protecting what you already own, especially real property. As part of Step 3 in the Foundation Phase (“Personalizing Your Estate Plan”), an often overlooked but powerful tool is the Maricopa Title Alert program.

What Is Maricopa Title Alert?

Maricopa Title Alert is a free alert service from the Maricopa County Recorder’s Office that monitors recorded documents filed under your name or business name. Whenever something new is recorded, you’re notified—via email and/or text—so you can review the document promptly and respond if necessary. (legacy.recorder.maricopa.gov+2plattwestby.com+2.)

As of now, over 88,000 people have signed up for Maricopa Title Alert—demonstrating its growing value to residents who care about protecting their property.

Why It Matters in Your Estate Plan

While it’s not insurance, Maricopa Title Alert gives you early notice of potentially unauthorized recordings—like forged deeds or liens—so you can act quickly. This kind of awareness complements other estate planning tools, such as:

• Ensuring proper property titling (individual vs. joint, business entity, etc.)
• Using mechanisms like transfer-on‑death deeds or trusts (depending on state laws)
• Maintaining up-to-date contact details with county records to ensure alerts reach you—critical if you’re away or managing real estate remotely

Before you rely on the Title Alert system alone, remember: it does not prevent fraud—it only alerts you after something is recorded. That’s why it’s one tool among many in safeguarding your title.

Is Title Theft a Real Concern?

Title theft—or deed fraud—does happen, though it remains relatively rare. Still, even rare risks deserve attention:

• In 2022, the FBI reported 11,727 real estate fraud claims totaling nearly $400 million—a subset of which involved title fraud.
• An FBI Boston report notes that from 2019–2023, 58,141 victims nationwide suffered $1.3 billion in losses from real estate fraud, including quitclaim deed scams in which owners had no idea their property was in.
• A 2025 survey by the National Association of REALTORS® found 63% of respondents were aware of deed or title fraud in their markets in the past year—and 83% supported electronic notification systems like Title Alert as effective solutions.

These figures suggest that fraudulent title manipulation is not a headline-only risk—it’s a real issue, particularly for properties that are vacant, owned by absentee owners, or where owners are less able to monitor activity closely.

Integrating Title Alert into Your Estate Planning Strategy

1. Sign up for Maricopa Title Alert for all clients with property in Maricopa County—it’s quick, free, and an easy proactive step.
2. Review and verify your property titling:
   1. Are all properties titled correctly to reflect your estate plan?
   2. Are ownership structures properly aligned (e.g., individual, business entity, joint tenancy)?
3. Use Title Alert as an early warning system, but continue other protections:
   1. Maintain current mailing and contact info with county offices
   2. Consider title insurance and estate planning tools such as TOD deeds or trusts
   3. Regularly review public records for unfamiliar entries
4. Maintain awareness, especially for vulnerable properties such as vacant land, inherited spaces, or holdings outside your primary residence.
5. Reach out to your Financial Planner if you have questions about titling, setting up the Title Alert, or integrating it into your overall plan.

Ready to Deepen Your Protection?

If you’re unsure whether your current property titling aligns with your estate plan, or if you’d like personalized help integrating Title Alert into your strategy, contact your SIG Financial Planner anytime.

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Disclosure: Strategic Income Group (“SIG”) is not affiliated with and does not endorse or receive compensation from the Maricopa County Recorder’s Office or any other county recorder’s office. The Maricopa Title Alert program is a free public service offered directly by Maricopa County. Participation in the program does not prevent fraud and is not a substitute for title insurance, legal advice, or other protective measures. This material is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal or tax advice. Clients should consult their estate planner, attorney, or other qualified professionals before making decisions related to property titling or estate planning.