Partner bought a house cash with a bad title

[Steve Boianelli]

A partner that I worked with in the past purchased a house with cash. Now he shared with me that the title isn't clean. Is this typical? Would it be wise to do a title search before paying cash for a property? If you buy the house with cash then find that the title isn't clean what can you do? What cause a bad title?

[Charlie MacPherson]

Just to add to the misery...

We just found out that neither Dad nor Mom were ever probated.

3 of the original 9 siblings have since passed, we believe at this point, intestate.  Those three siblings have three kids each.

There are now Dad, Mom and 3 deceased siblings, all needing to go through probate.

There are now 15 surviving heirs who need to agree to the sale.

Still wonder if you should have a competent attorney or title company do a title search?