My question involves real estate located in the State of: North Carolina

I have a question that is not really a typical scenario. I bought a piece of property a few years ago and am now looking to sell it. When I purchased it I did it with the owner financing and so a promissory note and a deed of trust was signed. Now here is where it gets strange.

- The Deed of Trust was never recorded with the county thought the Deed itself was.
- The lawyer who handled the closing and was the Trustee on the deed of trust is no longer in business


The previous owner who I had the promissory note with is willing to sign some kind of satisfaction notice or something like it.

What do I do?

Normally, isn't it customary for the Trustee to convey the complete ownership? Also keep in mind that the deed of trust was never recorded at the county for some reason.

Help please!