Here's an article listing some (19 listed here) of the lawsuits B of A has settled recently.

Last year, he lost a $24M lawsuit to the Learning Annex -- they helped him get famous and once he did, he decided he didn't want to pay them for their work.

The debt does lower your exposure in a lawsuit.

Careful with umbrella policies and know what you get.I recently got one and what it does cover are things that happen at my home, with both our cars, and up to 3 named rental properties owned in our personal names.So no other ones even if we hold title and none that are owned in other ways and no coverage if I'm personally named in a lawsuit against one of my entities.It was still a good idea and good value so I got it, but I hardly feel bullet proof.I was told by my broker that this is pretty standard for an umbrella.

You might look in the legal adds for foreclosure notices, check obituaries, check court records on lawsuits/collections, and cross those against the county property ownership computer records.

It is a very lawsuit happy state.

You could be named in lawsuits just because of your association.I am a developer with many years of experiences and with many developments completed.

Or loses a lawsuit?

does the amount and dates make sense with what you were told), deeds (who actually has the right to sell), Lis Pendens (are they paying their mortgage), Liens (who needs to get paid off in order to sell), Judgments (are/have they been involved in any lawsuits), Court Minutes (divorce?)

A lot of times they are labled as "mother in law apartment" or "mother in law suite" - and they can be great.2.)