Someone at a Lawyers Office (SAALO): I need a description on this property you subdivided.
Me: I didn't write one. That's a minor subdivision where part of a lot was conveyed to the next lot over. The part being conveyed is all I wrote the description on.
SAALO: How can I get a description of the remainder?
Me: You don't need one, just reference the lot on the recorded plat
SAALO: I don't think the Register will allow that.
Everyone calls a metes-and-bounds description a legal description, which is fine, but a lot of people misunderstand that "Lot 4, Block 5 of the xx subdivision" is a legal description. I have had long arguments with some nonsurveyors who insist I write a "legal description" on something that is already sufficiently described.
This happens to most of us. I choose to help SAALO get it right the first time because my confidence that they can correctly do it on their own is probably asking too much. It is also my opportunity to verify that the document that I prepared is the same that was recorded (happens). I bill accordingly and thank them for asking. I don't mind questions like this because the ramifications of them getting it wrong are problematic for me someday. Ever notice that our name is all over the subdivision and that we have to stamp/certify descriptions that we prepare but the lawyer that prepares the legal document is somehow unnamed?
well, if they sold off part of the lot, wouldn't the remainder be something like Lot X, LESS blah blah blah ? Or did the minor subdivision create new parcel Lot Numbers??
Andy J, post: 405438, member: 44 wrote: well, if they sold off part of the lot, wouldn't the remainder be something like Lot X, LESS blah blah blah ? Or did the minor subdivision create new parcel Lot Numbers??
That is exactly what deeds say in my neck of the woods. Sometimes there is just a small paragraph describing the original lot, and then several paragraphs of "LESS AND EXCEPT a smaller parcel, described as.... and convey to...... in deed book XXX page XXXX."