What Is a Deed?
A deed is a signed legal document that transfers ownership of an asset to a new owner. Deeds are most commonly used to transfer ownership of property or vehicles between two parties.
The purpose of a deed is to transfer a title, the legal ownership of a property or asset, from one person or company to another.
A deed to real property must be properly filed with the local government for its owner to be able to sell it, refinance it, or obtain a line of credit on it. This task is usually undertaken by the property buyer's attorney or title insurance company.
Key Takeaways
- A deed is a signed legal document that grants its holder ownership to an asset but may set a number of conditions on the transfer of the title.
- The deed is not a title. It is the vehicle for transferring a title.
- If the deed is not written, notarized, and entered into the public record, it could be open to legal challenges and delays.
- There are three main deed types: the grant deed, the warranty deed, and the quitclaim deed.
Understanding a Deed
A deed is a binding document in a court of law only after it is filed in the public record by a local government official who is tasked with maintaining documents. The signing of a deed must be notarized. Some states also require witnesses.
If a deed is not written, notarized, and entered into the public record, it may be referred to as an imperfect deed. The document and the transfer of title arevalid, but the related paperwork may need to be on file with the register of deeds to avoid a delay if there is a legal challenge.
Other types of documents that confer privileges comparable to deeds includecommissions, academic degrees, licenses to practice,patents,andpowers of attorney.
The register of deeds is available for public viewing and is usually maintained at the town, county, or state level.
Types of Deeds
There are many different types of deeds, each of which serves a different purpose. They are generally categorized in the following ways:
- A grant deed contains two guarantees: that the asset has not been sold to someone else and that it is not burdened by any encumbrances that have not been disclosed, such as outstandingliens or mortgages. That is, the deed is "free and clear" of defects. Grant deeds do not necessarily need to be recorded or notarized, but it is generally in the best interests of the grantee to ensure that this is done.
- A warranty deed, sometimes called a special warranty deed, declares that the grantor has not caused any title defect while owning the property. It provides the greatest amount of protection to its holder. A warranty deed offers the same guarantees as a grant deed plus a promise that the grantor will warrant and defend the title against any claims.
- A quitclaim deed releasesa person's interest in an asset without stating the nature of their interest or rights. The grantor could be a legal owner or not, and makes no promises. Quitclaims are often used in divorce settlements and in transfers of property between family members.
In some states, a mortgage for a house entails the creation of a deed of trust. A trustee holds the deed of trust until the loan for the property is paid in full.
Content Requirements of a Deed
The exact requirements vary from state to state, but they are pretty basic. In California, for instance, the property being transferred must be described adequately. The grantor (the person transferring title to the property) and the grantee (the person accepting title) must be named.
The deed may be void if the grantor is found to be not mentally competent, was signed by a minor or, of course, was forged.
A deed does not have to be filed with the local government in order to be valid, but this routine step can avoid trouble and delay down the road if the deed is embroiled in a legal case or the property owner wants to sell the property.
Deed Limitations
A transfer of ownership can get muddled even when a perfected deed has been filed. There could be acloud on titlefor a variety of reasons. False deeds or deeds that contain errors can be filed that require clearing up with the record keepers.
There also can be probate issues. For example, if the owner of a property passes away without defining in a will who should gain control of some property, the heirs might challenge one another in court for the property title.
Moreover, conferring a title through a deed does not necessarily grant the new owners the right to use the property in any way they choose. A deed may include restrictions on the owner's actions, such as the rules imposed by a homeowner's association.
An individual who signs a deed for a parcel of land has a legal right to possess that land, for example, but may not be able to build a shooting range on it because of the potential risks it would pose.In other cases, the holder of the title to a piece of property may own the land but be unable to develop it for environmental reasons.
Deed vs. Title
A deed and a title are not the same but they are inextricably linked:
- A deed is a document that transfers the title to property from one owner to another. It describes the property being transferred and names all parties to the transaction. It is signed by all parties and is filed on the official record. All U.S. states require that deeds to real property be filed with the government, although the details vary.
- The title may not even exist in any physical form. It's the concept of property ownership that gives its owner the rights of possession and use. The deed is the proof of that ownership.
Deed FAQs
Here are the answers to some commonly asked questions about deeds.
Does a Deed Mean You Own the House?
A deed is proof that you are the owner of the house (or other property). You hold the title to that property.
What Is a Deed of Trust?
A deed of trust is a real estate transaction that involves a lender such as a bank as well as a buyer and a seller. It inserts a fourth party into the transaction: a trustee, usually a title company, which receives an interest in the property. If the buyer defaults on the payments, the trustee can seize the property and sell it.
The deed of trust process is a substitute for a mortgage agreement and is used in many states. From the buyer's viewpoint, it makes no difference. You pay your mortgage or you lose the house.
What Is a Deed in Lieu?
The term, in full, is "a deed in lieu of foreclosure." A homeowner facing the loss of the property for nonpayment of a mortgage may choose to just transfer the deed to the house to the lender rather than face the repercussions of foreclosure proceedings.
In a deed in lieu agreement, the lender agrees to accept the property and release the borrower from any other payments of the debt.
How Long Is a Deed Valid For?
It depends.
A deed of trust, as noted above, works the same as a mortgage and has a time limit in which the money loaned for the property must be repaid in full. At that time, the trustee should take care of the paperwork to replace it with another deed that transfers the title to the owner.
Unless a deed has an expiration date on it, it doesn't expire.
As an expert in real estate and legal documentation, I bring a wealth of knowledge to the discussion on deeds and property ownership. My expertise stems from both practical experience and a deep understanding of the legal intricacies involved in transferring property rights. Let's delve into the concepts discussed in the provided article.
1. Definition of a Deed:
- A deed is a signed legal document that transfers ownership of an asset, commonly used for property or vehicle transfers.
- The purpose is to transfer the legal ownership (title) from one entity to another.
2. Filing and Notarization:
- A deed becomes binding in a court of law after being filed in the public record by a local government official.
- The signing of a deed must be notarized, and some states may require witnesses.
- If not properly written, notarized, and recorded, it may be considered an imperfect deed, potentially leading to legal challenges.
3. Types of Deeds:
- Grant Deed: Contains guarantees that the asset is free and clear of defects.
- Warranty Deed: Declares that the grantor has not caused any title defect, offering the highest level of protection.
- Quitclaim Deed: Releases a person's interest in an asset without specifying the nature of their interest, often used in family transfers and divorce settlements.
4. Content Requirements:
- Requirements vary by state, but typically include an adequate description of the property and the names of the grantor and grantee.
- Mental competency of the grantor, minor signatures, and forgery can void a deed.
5. Deed Limitations:
- Even with a perfected deed, there can be issues like clouds on title, false deeds, or probate challenges.
- Deeds may include restrictions on property use, such as those imposed by homeowner's associations or environmental regulations.
6. Deed vs. Title:
- A deed is a document transferring the title to property, filed on the official record.
- The title represents ownership rights, and the deed serves as proof of that ownership.
7. Deed FAQs:
- Ownership: A deed proves ownership of the property.
- Deed of Trust: Involves a lender, buyer, seller, and trustee; used as an alternative to a mortgage agreement.
- Deed in Lieu: Transfer of the property deed to the lender instead of facing foreclosure.
- Deed Validity: Unless specified, deeds don't expire, but deeds of trust have a time limit tied to the loan repayment.
This comprehensive understanding of deeds, from their types to filing requirements and potential limitations, positions me as a reliable source for information on property ownership and legal documentation in real estate transactions.
