NEW CUMBERLAND – A Weirton man is suing to correct alleged errors in the deed to his property.
James Jones filed suit on Jan. 7 in Hancock Circuit Court against Marc Slotnick, Wells Fargo Bank Minnesota National Association and First American Financial Group, citing negligence.
According to the complaint, Jones purchased a property from Wells Fargo Minnesota and the deed was recorded on Aug. 29, 2003 in the Office of the Clerk of the Hancock County Commission. The plaintiff alleges that the deed was prepared by Slotnick of the Bailey, Joseph and Slotnick law firm, and was signed by Deborah Kaufman on behalf of the defendant bank. The complaint states that it was not recorded that power of attorney was granted to Kaufman to execute the deed at that time. Power of attorney was later filed in September 2003 and appointed Wachovia Bank of Delaware National Association. This deed was signed by Kaufman, the bank's attorney-in-fact, the complaint states. This allegedly has caused a discrepancy within the validity of the deed.
The complaint states that under state code, the plaintiff is the legal owner of the title for the property, but he does not possess a valid deed due to these errors. According to the plaintiff, requests were made to Slotnick to rectify the document but they went unanswered until November, after he initiated contact in the previous month. The plaintiff also alleges that Slotnick did not provide information regarding his file, which incurred additional legal fees and delayed the process.
Jones requests that the title deed be adjudged as that of the plaintiff, and not subject to any liens or claims of virtue. He also seeks attorney's fees and court costs. He is represented by Raymond Hinerman of Hinerman & Associates PLLC in Weirton. The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Ronald E. Wilson.
Hancock Circuit Court Case number 16-C-1