[palani]

I would say that the clause you mention represents a chain from one seller to the next. If you received a warranty deed from someone they would also be required to pay to defend their title. So in a way you are only being required to defend your title for the time you possess the property.

If you had bought the property at a sheriffs' auction or through a quit claim deed and are trying to sell it on a warranty deed you are taking on a lot more liability.

As to how to remove the property from an equity relationship with the state, ask the county tax dept for how much is owed, go with three witnesses to the sheriffs office with postal money orders in that amount and a quit claim deed for him to sign. If he refuses have the witnesses sign statements to that effect and record them. If he signs the quit claim record that. However, as you mentioned previously, do you personally have the status to own property? And are you using services provided by the state that will suck you right back into a lesser status?

I think it might be advisable to take on the personal status correction issue before getting into the property issue.