FORD COUNTY ABSTRACT COMPANY
Ford County Abstract Company was incorporated in 1892 after taking over the tract books from the original abstracters in Ford County. For the last 40 years, Robert E. Martensen has operated and managed the company in conjunction with his law office across the street. In 2014, Ross Sorensen, now a partner in Martensen’s law firm, acquired an ownership interest. Together, they continue to provide the same service and real estate expertise that generations have come to expect from Ford County Abstract.
TRACT BOOKS
We are the only title company with a complete set of tract books dating back to the 1850s, when Ford County was formed from a portion of Vermillion County. These tract books continue to be updated daily with information from every recorded real estate transaction in Ford County.
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
- American Land & Title Association
- Illinois Land Title Association
- Paxton Chamber of Commerce
Robert E. Martensen – Owner/Attorney
Bob, a lifelong resident of the Paxton area, graduated from the University Of Illinois School Of Law in 1961. From that time forward, Bob has practiced law in Paxton. In 1975, he purchased Ford County Abstract, and has operated and managed the business from that time forward. In the last 40 years, Bob has seen the title insurance process move from almost exclusively abstracts and attorney opinions to the now present prevalence of outright title insurance. Bob is currently semi-retired, and now spends more time traveling and sightseeing, in addition to spending a portion of the summer at his family’s cabin in Canada.
Ross Sorensen – Owner/Attorney
Ross graduated the Southern Illinois University School of law in May 2011 and began working a few months later at Mr. Martensen’s law firm in Paxton. Initially, Ross spent many hours examining old abstracts as part of his job at the law firm before acquiring a formal ownership interest in Ford County Abstract in 2014. Ross still enjoys examining real estate and working with customers to resolve their title issues. In addition to working behind the scenes on title commitments and policies, Ross will also handle many of the escrow/insured closings. On the weekends, Ross enjoys spending time outdoors, either hunting, hiking, or managing wildlife habitat. He currently resides in rural Roberts with his wife, Colleen, and their two boys.
Cindy Stover –
Cindy has worked for Ford County Abstract since 2003. She will be your initial point of contact for most orders. She primarily works with customers from the order stage through the commitment. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her grandkids, traveling, hiking and gardening.
Samantha Magers –
Samantha Magers is not an employee of Ford County Abstract, but is the real estate assistant for the law office of Martensen, Niemann, & Sorensen across the street. The law firm provides its closing services to the title company for all escrow closings. Once we are notified that Ford County Abstract will be closing a file, Samantha will be the contact for all items related to the closing. In her spare time, she likes to craft and spend time with her husband and daughter.
meet our team
OUR SERVICES
Ford County Abstract Company is a locally owned and operated title company, providing title insurance services to Ford County, Illinois.
Judgement & Lien Searches
A lien is a claim against someone else’s property to satisfy an existing debt. A judgment is a court ordered debt or other obligation. A Judgment and Lien search will identify any liens that may be publically recorded in Ford County Recorder’s Office and any judgment against the buyers or sellers within the last seven years.
Title Commitment & Policies
A title commitment is a promise to provide a title insurance policy on a property in the form that we are will to issue. This initial document will tell your attorney or real estate agent of any potential or existing problems with title of the property. The title policy will be mailed to you or your attorney after closing. This final policy will be the final contact between you and the company.
Centennial Farm Searches
We will provide the necessary verification as required by the State of Illinois Department of Agriculture. We will search and verify that your farm has been owned with the same or collateral line of descendants for the last 100 years.
Escrow/Cash Closing
Your lender may require that the title company handle the closing of your property. We work with the parties to create the settlement statement, handle all incoming and outgoing funds, and provide a guarantee that the closing will be done according with the lender’s instructions.
Contact us
We strive to provide prompt, reliable service.
Ford County Abstract Company
- Phone : 1.217.379.2413
- Fax: 1.217.396.3820
- Email : info@fordcountyabstract.com
Address
145 North Taft Street
PO Box 145
Paxton, Illinois 60957