Nunc Pro Tunc

Latin: now for then. Descriptive of actions which are performed after a deadline has elapsed, but retroactively have the same effect as if they were carried out in a timely manner. For example, a property title is transferred to a new owner. The wife of the original owner, who owned the property jointly, never signed the deed. The subsequent owner seeks to sell the property to a third buyer when the wife's missing signature is discovered by a title company prior to issuing title insurance. There is now a cloud on the title and the legality of the sale to the second owner could be challenged. However, the wife of the first owner agrees to sign the title nunc pro tunc.