Expert: Frederick M. - 11/2/2009

Question
My ailing grandfather owns mineral rights that he would like to deed to my grandmother.  He was told be the gas company the necessary forms would be easily located online or at the library.  I have been searching online for some time with no luck and do not have access to a sizable library.  Can you point me to the necessary forms?  Thanks.

Answer
Reid, there are in fact many companies selling ready-made deed forms online. I searched for "mineral deeds" just now and found several! Legalzoom.com is one site where you can buy a blank mineral deed, and there are other similar sites like uslegalforms.com as well, and still others that have free blank deeds you can use. I am neither endorsing nor opposing any of these sites but I would suggest you be careful when using any "fill-in-the-blank" deed forms. Even though the deeds you can get online may be quite legal and well-drafted, they do not come with actual legal advice; which you may need.  

I would suggest you or your grandfather get an attorney to draw up the deed for him. Additionally, an attorney could help you decide which TYPE of deed to use (i.e. mineral deed, quitclaim deed, warranty deed etc.)Yes, it will cost a couple-hundred bucks or so depending on the attorney (maybe less) but I'd say it's money well spent.

Hope this helps you out.
Frederick M. "Mick" Scott CMM RPL
Timbercreek Mineral Company, LLC