Legal Question in Real Estate Law in Illinois

Re: real estate

Not necessarily. Whether or not you physically have the deed is irrelevant; the property could have been deeded to someone else between 1920 and now.

Re: real estate

The piece of paper in and of itself is essentially worthless. First you would have to follow the chain of title to determine whether the deed you possess is valid. Then you would need to see if there were any conveyances after that deed. Only then can you (possibly) determine who owns a certain piece of property.

Re: real estate

You need to consult with an Illinois attorney to discuss this matter - each state has its own very unique titling system for real property, so California law is not applicable at all to your situation. As a general rule, however, unless the 1920 deed names you as owner, and there have been no subsequent transfers, the answer is probably no.

*Due to the limitations of the LawGuru Forums, The Gibbs Law Firm, APC's (the "Firm") participation in responding to questions posted herein does not constitute legal advice, nor legal representation of the person or entity posting a question. No Attorney/Client relationship is or shall be construed to be created hereby. The information provided is general and requires that the poster obtain specific legal advice from an attorney. The poster shall not rely upon the information provided herein as legal advice nor as the basis for making any decisions of legal consequence.