Legal Question in Real Estate Law in Ohio
Mineral rights - We own 10 acres of land in Ohio and have been asked to lease our land to drill for oil and gas. From what I can, we do not own the mineral rights to our land and our land has never been leased before. The current owner of the mineral rights shows they took ownership in the 1950's. Is there a period of time where they forfeit their rights if they have not used them?
1 Answer from Attorneys
In some cases, a landowner can force the mineral rights owner to acknowledge or abandon the mineral rights after twenty years of non-use. It is a somewhat complicated procedure, but it generally takes less than 4 months. You should have an attorney prepare the proper documents to force a mineral right owner to make a decision. Also, if you are able to sell your mineral rights, you should also consult with an attorney to make sure your land is not going to be harmed and you are being compensated adequately.
Lisa K. Meier
This response is based on the limited facts you have provided and is not intended to create an attorney-client relationship. I cannot provide adequate advice to you without meeting with you in person. If you would like to schedule a free consultation, please feel free to contact me.
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