The Short Answer

If your case is in Pennsylvania, the “Clerk of Court in North Carolina” generally cannot change or “update” a Pennsylvania partition order, and Pennsylvania court staff typically cannot give legal advice about what you should file. In Pennsylvania, title-search problems that arise after a partition-related order usually need to be addressed through the court that issued the order (often the Court of Common Pleas, and in some estate-related matters the Orphans’ Court Division), usually by bringing the issue to the judge through your attorney.

What Pennsylvania Law Says

In Pennsylvania, court clerks are administrative officers: they maintain records, enter orders, and certify documents, but they do not have authority to give legal advice or change a judge’s order based on a phone call or informal request. If a new title defect affects a partition sale, deed, or distribution, the remedy is typically to seek court direction from the issuing court (for example, clarification, enforcement, or other relief), not to “discuss” the merits with the clerk’s office.

The Statute

The primary law governing the Orphans’ Court clerk’s role (common in probate/estate-related real estate disputes) is 42 Pa.C.S. § 2777.

This statute establishes that the clerk’s office has the power and duty to enter court orders and handle court records for the Orphans’ Court Division—functions that support the court, but do not replace a judge’s decision-making or provide legal guidance to parties.

If your matter is in the general civil division (not Orphans’ Court), a related statute describing the clerk of courts’ administrative role is 42 Pa.C.S. § 2757.

Why You Should Speak with an Attorney

Title problems discovered after a partition order can derail a sale, delay distribution, or create future liability if a deed is recorded with unresolved defects. While the clerk can tell you what is on the docket and how to obtain certified copies, applying the order to a new title issue usually requires legal action in the case and careful coordination with the title company and all parties.

• Strict Deadlines: Depending on what stage the partition is in (order entered, sale scheduled, deed pending, proceeds distribution), waiting can limit options and increase costs.
• Burden of Proof: If someone claims an interest, lien, or defect in the chain of title, you may need admissible documentation (deeds, estate records, satisfactions, affidavits) to resolve it.
• Exceptions: Some issues are not “fixable” by informal correction—e.g., missing parties, unresolved liens, or estate/heirship questions may require court approval or additional proceedings.

For more background on partition disputes and court orders, you may find this helpful: Can I Set Aside or Modify a Prior Partition Order in Pennsylvania?.

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Disclaimer: This article provides general information under Pennsylvania law and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws change frequently. For legal advice specific to your situation, please consult with a licensed attorney.