You would think that process of transferring legal ownership of property from one person or entity to another would be relatively simple, but when it comes to real estate, the property title transfer process is often very complex and time-consuming. Indeed, most savvy consumers contract with an experienced real estate attorney or another skilled legal professional to facilitate the property title transfer process. Without the guidance of a knowledgeable professional, title problems may rear their ugly heads years or even decades down the road. A deed is the legal document that is used to formally convey ownership of the property from one party to another. Once the deed has been drawn up and signed by all involved parties, it must be filed with the proper local authorities. This process, known as recording the deed, is what actually completes the transfer of the property's ownership from a legal perspective. If a deed is signed and executed, but not recorded, the new owner's claims to ownership may not be upheld in a court of law.