What is Grant Deed Drafting?
A grant deed is a legal contract between a seller and a buyer to transfer real estate ownership. It serves to guarantee that the seller hasn’t already transferred the property and the property is free of encumbrances.
If you need to draft a grant deed, you should specify essential components. Here are some drafting tips and why you should hire a lawyer to help you with the document drafting process.
What are Key Terms to Write in a Grant Deed?
A grant deed contains the following key terms:
- Parties. Identify the grantor (seller) and grantee (buyer) by providing their full legal names and contact details.
- Property description. Include a detailed property description, such as by providing its street address, boundaries, and parcel number.
- Date. Specify the date on which the deed is signed and notarized.
- Words of conveyance. Explicitly state that the property is granted or transferred.
- Consideration. Explain the value exchanged, such as monetary payment.
What are Drafting Tips for a Grant of Deed?
When drafting a grant of deed, you need to ensure that it’s legally valid and minimizes your risk of future disputes. Here are some tips to bear in mind during the process.
Identify Parties
Make sure you list the parties’ legal names. The grantor’s name must perfectly match the spelling and titles from the deed in which they originally acquired the property.
Provide Property Details
The agreement should specify a legal description of the property, such as the lot, subdivision, and block. You can get all this information from your previous deed.
Use Clear Language
When writing the grant, you must use clear, legal language such as by saying “The grantor hereby grants, sells, and conveys…” But, you must be careful because your local jurisdiction determines the correct wording to include. A lawyer can assist you with this aspect of the agreement.
Explain Rights and Obligations
State which party is responsible for specific activities, such as repairs and maintenance of the property. This should be aligned with the duration of the agreement and if the grant is perpetual or expires after a specific event.
Address Consideration
The agreement must be clear about the purchase price and other considerations that apply. Explain what happens if the property is a transfer between family members and how taxes are handled.
Execute the Agreement
Make sure that you get both parties to sign the document and have it notarized. Again, since the legal formalities of the document can vary, you should consult a lawyer for assistance.
Should You Hire a Lawyer for Grant of Deed Drafting?
When drafting a grant of deed, you might feel a bit concerned about the legal soundness of the document or you might worry that you’re missing some important information.
To give you peace of mind, a lawyer can help you during the grant of deed drafting process by:
- Verifying the ownership of the property. A lawyer will review existing deeds and property records.
- Correctly identifying the parties. They’ll confirm the legal names and details of both parties.
- Preparing the legal property description. They’ll ensure that the document contains accurate, legal descriptions of the property.
- Determining the transfer type. They’ll help you determine if the property is sold, gifted, or transferred to provide an accurate arrangement.
- Drafting the granting clause in legal, clear wording. They’re experienced in writing these clauses to prevent confusion or disputes.
- Reviewing any encumbrances. A lawyer will ensure that they check all relevant liens, easements, mortgages, or other interests that could affect the property transfer.
- Clarifying consideration details. To prevent issues, a lawyer will detail the consideration, such as the purchase price or gift arrangement.
- Reviewing the grant of deed. If you’ve drafted a grant of deed, you should hire a qualified lawyer to review it for you. This gives you peace of mind that it’s clear, legally valid, and easy for both parties to understand.
Where to Find and Hire a Lawyer for Grant of Deed Drafting
If you’d like to hire a lawyer to draft your grant of deed, you don’t have to call a traditional law firm in your area or contact people you know for lawyer recommendations.
You can use an online legal platform such as ContractsCounsel to help you access a range of lawyers who have contract-drafting experience.
ContractsCounsel is one of the largest online legal marketplaces that connects clients to a curated network of lawyers who have been vetted on the platform. The platform provides transparent lawyer information so you’ll feel confident about choosing the most suitable lawyer.
To request that a lawyer on the platform drafts your grant of deed, here are the steps to follow:
- On your device, go to the ContractsCounsel marketplace.
- Select ‘One-time project’ and ‘Create or update contract.’ If you’d prefer to hire a lawyer to review your document, you’ll choose ‘Contract review.’
- Post your project for free. Include a few details of what you need so you’ll connect with suitable lawyers who meet your requirements.
- Wait for bids. Instead of searching for a lawyer, you’ll receive multiple bids from lawyers directly on the platform who are ready to assist you.
- Review the platform’s lawyer data. Before choosing a lawyer to hire, review the lawyer information, such as their location, field of expertise, years of experience, credentials, and client ratings for previously completed projects on the platform.
- After reviewing the lawyer data, choose a lawyer to hire. They’ll draft a grant of deed for a flat fee.
