How to solve a Title search on sale where a DOT person is dead

[Joseph Quarto]

Hi,

I am up against a problem I have never encountered before. We put in an offer on a property that was accepted by the current owners. However upon the Title company doing it's thing, they have come up with a DOT back in 1995 that DOES NOT show it was paid. Also the person who carried the DOT is now deceased. While common sense says it likely is no longer open, the Title company can't go any further until the current owners find info. So we have been in limbo now for 2 months. We were gonna walk away, but I really want the lake property as it fits into where we want to retire & build.

I'm not sure, but isn't there some way a "Quiet Title" or something can be done by a lawyer & get this cleared up a short time? I mean the DOT is already 20+ years old. The property as it is worth only about $85-90k.

What would it cost to clear this up & how much time?

ANy help, pointer greatly appreciated - Oh this is in Washington State

Thanks much, 

Joseph Q