Deeds are the documents that legally transfer property interests. There are a few types of deeds that convey title, depending upon your jurisdiction. Among them are: (1) Warranty, (2) Covenant (3) Trustees, (4) Ladybird, (5) Sheriff, and (6) Quit Claim. This list is not exhaustive, but suffice to say, each type of deed has its own purpose, conveying different ‘guarantees’ of ownership to a grantee. But only the “lowly” quit claim deed comes without grantor representations or warranties. In essence, a grantor of a quit claim deed basically says to the grantee, “I may own this property, but I can’t guarantee you that someone else doesn’t have a better claim to it. Oh, and by the way, if someone else does have a more superior interest or claim to the property that I am deeding to you here, don’t expect me to do anything to help in defending your rights to the property.” As a legal document it sounds pretty useless doesn’t it? Yet, with the proper legal guidance and due diligence, a quit claim deed can be an effective transfer instrument.  

With access to online legal forms readily accessible to the general public, it is easy to access deed forms.  But it is also easy to forget that with these legal documents comes “great responsibility.” “Practicing” law without the requisite knowledge can and very often does have legal and financial consequences.