The best place to find a legal description is usually the last deed of ownership (the deed that transferred ownership to the current owner). The legal description is usually included in the body of the document. Legal descriptions are usually accompanied by introductory words such as “. as described below. This wording indicates that the legal description will begin shortly. The legal description is often double-indented or bolded to distinguish it from the rest of the document. See the following examples for an illustration. The legal description is referenced during the title search to ensure that there are no encumbrances on the property before the transaction is completed and title insurance is issued. Keep in mind, however, that some legal descriptions are incredibly complicated, and as mentioned above, there are different types of legal descriptions, which means it can get complicated if you don`t know exactly what you`re looking for. If you own property, you should have a copy of the deed from the time you acquire title.

If you are buying real estate, the seller or real estate agent should have a copy of the deed. However, old legal descriptions can be passed from one chain of title to another, and a false or incomplete description can be passed from one ignorant owner to another. Unplated vacancies are often the biggest challenges associated with legal misdescription. The sections adjacent to the northern and western boundaries of the municipality are adjusted according to established rules, using the difference between government control and actual area. Adapted sections are called fractions because they are slightly less than 1 square mile, but the remaining sections in a community are standard sections, each exactly 1 square mile. Plate-based legal descriptions are much more reliable than other species and should rarely require further investigation. Metes and Bounds measurements are made by taking a point and measuring the length of the distance in a particular direction. These are usually used in larger and more rural areas. Metis are the lines between each end point or outermost point of the property. While boundaries are the more general boundaries of property such as a public road or waterway. A Metes and Bounds property description generally looks like this: Metes-and-bounds descriptions were used in the original 13 settlements before the rectangular surveying system was developed. A description of bounds and boundaries uses boundary lengths and angles that begin at the starting point (POB).

A mete is a dividing line and the boundaries are the area surrounded by the metes – hence the name. Starting with the POB, it describes the length of each boundary and the angle it forms with the previous boundary. This continues to the end point (POE), which is identical to the starting point, because all properties must have closed boundaries. “From a point marked by a survey marker on the south side of Jackson Road, 150 feet east of the corner formed by the intersection of the east boundary of State Highway 39 and the south boundary of Jackson Road; from the east 90 degrees 500 feet; thence south 450 feet; thence west 250 degrees 450 feet; from there directly to the point of departure; located in Section Seven in Twenty North Township, Range Eleven East, Perry Township, Delaware County, Indiana. A “legal” description of ownership identifies the particular parameters of a parcel of land and is an essential part of purchase agreements, deeds and mortgages. These legal descriptions identify the property so that it can be transferred, assessed and taxed. For these reasons, it is important that owners or potential buyers know how to find the legal description of the property. Some legal descriptions are very simple and involve a lot and block in the name of a subdivision, but even these peculiarities can be wrong when checked by surveying equipment. It allows you to determine exactly where a particular plot of land is. The type of legal description you will find on a real estate document depends on factors such as the method of measurement, location, and type of property. The other legal description system is the lot and block system (also known as the registered flat system), which refers to specific parcels identified by a lot number or letter and the block or subdivision platform in which the lot is located.

The block itself is located using the metes-and-bounds system or the rectangular surveying system. To identify a particular parcel, the lot and block system shows the lot and block number, the name or number of the subdivision platform, and the name of the county and state. The inclusion of an accurate legal description of ownership is essential when transferring or pledging real estate. The pilot and block method tends to be used in more densely populated areas, these are based on a “flat system”. It was at this time that urban planners divided real estate into general shapes such as rectangles to control growth and provide access to public services. The platform is the largest section of land, which is then divided into blocks, which are then divided into plots. A typical description of lots and blocks looks like this: Look for a language as described as, legal, description or legal description, followed by words such as lot, block, apartment, section, municipality, area, as well as directional directions such as north, south, east and west and even references to geographical markers such as bodies of water. Your deed should have an accurate legal description of your property, so if you are looking for the legal description after having previously owned land, then this is the best place to search. Ultimately, you own what is in the legal description of your deed. You need the legal description for all purchase contracts, deeds and mortgages.

The title officer and surveyor will detect any legal description issues and clear the cloud on the title prior to closing. All legal descriptions indicate county and state, but how the description is worded varies. The legal description of a property is one of the most important pieces of information involved in a land transaction. Here`s an example of what a legal description of a property can look like when you`re looking for yours. The township system is important to understand when trying to find land. Most counties have submitted a copy of the deed to their county assessor`s office. In addition, most county appraiser websites have a “property search” feature, such as the Orleans Parish Appraiser, which allows you to enter the community address, parcel number, or owner`s name to find the legal description.