Legal Question in Real Estate Law in California

Re: Locating a property deed

That is skimpy information. Assuming you have some idea of what state and county, you can review the grantor-grantee records in that county. If this program is a physical problem, then you can do internet searches. I subscribe to a program that gives me this information - if available - on line, and for a fee. You might first try tracking data through Yahoo or Google or MSN as a search engine database. None of these programs work unless you know the exact spelling of the grantee name - you, or a trust, or you and grandfather, etc. Good luck.

Re: Locating a property deed

Howdy:

I assume you know the general area where the property is located. If that's the case, you need to go to the County Recorder's office. They have two books to help find recorded deeds. (In some Counties, like Riverside, it's on microfilm.) One is the Grantors Index (the people who sold the property). The other, which is the one you'll want to use, is the Grantees index (the people the property was sold to). Look up either you or your grandparents in the Grantees index. It may be several volumes, and you may need to spend a little time there, but if there's property deeded to either you or your grandparents, you should find it there.

You will need to to this in each County where you think property might be located.

If you don't know where the property might be located, then you have a bit more trouble. There are databases that can help, but I don't subscribe to them. A local title company might be able to help, also.

Good luck.

Re: Locating a property deed

In addition to the advice already provided, which is sound, consider this: Property taxes will have been due and payable on each parcel one or more times a year since purchase. Who would have received the tax bills? Who paid the taxes? If they were paid, there should be recent records such as checks written to the county tax collector by your grandparents.or their executor. The canceled checks may show the parcel numbers. The probate records may be helpful.

On the other hand, if the taxes weren't paid, the parcels may have been sold for delinquent taxes.

It is also possible someone has acquired, or is acquiring, the parcels by adverse possession.

If it is likely the parcels have significant value today, you should get professional help to find them as soon as possible. In addition to an attorney who practices real estate law in the county where the property may be located, you might consider contacting whomever were your grandparents' executors, a local real estate broker, an appraiser, etc.