<Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This article needs additional citations for verification . Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources . Unsourced material may be challenged and removed . (May 2015) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) </Td> </Tr> </Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This article needs additional citations for verification . Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources . Unsourced material may be challenged and removed . (May 2015) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) </Td> </Tr> <P> In United States property law, cloud on title or title defect refers to any irregularity in the chain of title of property (usually real property) that would give a reasonable person pause before accepting a conveyance of title . According to Investopedia, a cloud can be defined as: "Any document, claim, unreleased lien or encumbrance that might invalidate or impair the title to real property or make the title doubtful . Clouds on title are usually discovered during a title search ." Clouded title can thus be contrasted with a clear title, which indicates that a property is unencumbered . </P>

A cloud on title that is difficult to remove may require that