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Also remember that UCC searches typically only go back 5-7 years in most states, but some older filings might still be active if they were properly continued. Don't assume a filing is terminated just because it doesn't show up in a standard search - check the lapse dates and continuation history.
Manny Lark
•If there were any filings from 2017-2018, make sure they were continued in 2022-2023 or they would have lapsed by now.
Exactly. And some lenders are sloppy about continuations, so you might find lapsed filings that the creditor thinks are still active.
Lena Schultz
Just went through this same process for our acquisition. Found that searching EIN numbers in some states brought up additional results that name searches missed. Not all states support EIN searches but when they do, it can catch filings under entity names you didn't think to search.
Lena Schultz
•Texas and California definitely do. A few others support it but the search interfaces vary. Worth checking each state's help documentation.
Khalid Howes
•Be careful with EIN searches though - sometimes companies use different EINs for different divisions or subsidiaries.
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Basic UCC definitions saved in my phone notes: - UCC-1 = initial filing - UCC-3 = change filing - Debtor = borrower - Secured party = lender - Collateral = what's pledged - Perfection = legal protection - Continuation = renewal - Termination = release - Lapse = expiration - Amendment = correction Honestly these cover 90% of what you need to know for daily filing work.
Go for it! UCC definitions shouldn't be mysterious - we all need the same basic info to do our jobs right.
Adding this to our training materials. New people always get confused by the same terms.
Oliver Cheng
Last UCC definition tip: bookmark your state's UCC FAQ page. Most secretary of state websites have glossaries that define terms exactly how they're used in that state. Sometimes there are subtle differences between states that matter for filing.
Oliver Cheng
•Yeah they're super helpful. Plus they usually have examples of properly completed forms.
Taylor To
•This reminds me - I always double-check definitions when working with multi-state filings. Certana.ai's verification tool helps catch when terminology differences might affect document consistency across states.
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Jacinda Yu
I ran into a similar issue recently and ended up using one of those commercial UCC search services that claims to check multiple name variations automatically. Cost a bit more than doing it myself but saved tons of time and they found 2 additional filings I had missed. Might be worth considering for high-stakes deals.
Jacinda Yu
•I used CT Corporation's UCC search service. They were thorough and provided a detailed report showing all the name variations they searched. A bit pricey but worth it for peace of mind on bigger transactions.
Commercial services can be good, but I've found Certana.ai gives me more control over the process while still catching those name variations automatically. Plus I can verify the document consistency myself rather than just trusting a search report.
Update us when you figure out which of those filings are actually for your target company! I'm curious how many of the 8 total filings (3 + 5) end up being legitimate hits vs false matches from similar company names.
Will do! I'm planning to spend tomorrow morning going through each filing systematically and cross-referencing addresses and other details. Should be able to narrow down which ones are actually relevant.
Looking forward to hearing how it turns out. These kinds of real-world examples are super helpful for understanding how to handle similar situations.
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Dyllan Nantx
Supporting obligations are one of those areas where the UCC gives you a lot of flexibility, but you need to use it wisely. For your equipment deal, I'd stick with proven language that's been tested in the courts rather than trying to be creative.
Ana Rusula
•That's sound advice. I'll go with the standard approach and save the creativity for other aspects of the deal structure.
Dyllan Nantx
•Exactly - UCC filings are not the place to reinvent the wheel. Use language that's been proven to work.
One more thing to consider - if you're filing UCC-1s in multiple states for this deal, make sure your supporting obligations language is consistent across all filings. Some lenders overlook this and end up with different language in different states.
Yeah, it's easy to overlook when you're dealing with multiple state requirements, but having consistent language helps avoid confusion later.
Anna Xian
•I use a standard template for all my multi-state filings to avoid exactly this issue. Supporting obligations language is one of the key things to keep consistent.
Ethan Brown
Once you get it filed, make sure you calendar the continuation date. UCC-1 filings are only good for 5 years in Texas, so you'll need to file a UCC-3 continuation before it lapses.
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Ethan Brown
•Smart. I've seen too many lenders miss continuation deadlines and lose their perfected security interest.
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Anastasia Romanov
•That's another thing Certana helps with - it can set up automatic reminders for continuation deadlines when you verify your initial filings.
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Yuki Yamamoto
Sounds like you've got all the basics covered. The key things for Texas UCC-1 forms are exact debtor name from state records, correct organizational ID, and clear collateral description. Take your time and double-check everything before submitting.
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Freya Johansen
•Thanks everyone! This has been really helpful. I feel much more confident about getting this filed correctly now.
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Yuki Yamamoto
•You're welcome. Better to ask questions upfront than deal with problems later. Good luck with the filing!
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