Wattles does use "NORTH" in his book, but in my lackluster opinion I think he is trying to stress the importance of that call historically and now. If you look a paragraph or two below "NORTH", he just capitalized the first letter.
I do not believe it is a proper noun and should be capitalized. Google "proper noun".
Another thought, would it not be more correct rather than to say "to the east boundary of Section 10", to perhaps say "to the division line between Section 10 and the west and Section ____ on the east"?
> 2. You really use N 90 degrees 00 minutes 00 seconds E rather than "East"?
I do because it spells out exactly what was measured. Being in a non-recording state, we usually get deeds without surveys to work from.
> Another question, do you guys ever make a certain word or phrase bold for added emphasis? I just did that in a description I wrote. Especially since it was kind of confusing and some of the people reading it kind of missed some nuances in it.
Sure, I do it in every description I write. I also use underlining, in the example below the underlined point nos. are keyed to a coordinate list in the description. Here's an example:
Since we can agree that many (here) do reference Wattles (as a guideline), in most of his examples, he does not capitalize "east" or "boundary".
My opinion is use whatever seems to work for you and the area you're in. Between the 3 of us (PLS's) in our office, we all use the same general format when we write our descriptions, but we all vary slightly on our ideas of "verbiage".
Many times I've come across a "description checker" who red-lines my descriptions and this is one of the points that often comes up.
> 2. You really use N 90 degrees 00 minutes 00 seconds E rather than "East"?
For me (one who rarely prepares products on "true" bearings), I think the direction "East" is so ingrained as true east/geodetic east/astronomic east that I spell it out (as Rob did) just to reinforce that I mean "east (right down to the second) on the basis of bearings noted for this survey or description". I know it's silly but I can't help myself...
> Two things...
>
> 1. east should be capitalized if used as a cardinal directdion. i.e. then East, 10 chains to the east boundary ( I prefer to call it east boundary rather than eastern boundary, although either would probably be correctd.
>
> 2. You really use N 90 degrees 00 minutes 00 seconds E rather than "East"?
Completely agree with both statements, except that I would use "eastern" or "easterly" boundary in the example above, unless it's cardinal.
> If it is not the "east boundary" than it would be either northeast boundary, or southeast boundary, rather than eastern. Easterly is a direction and should not be used to describe a boundary line; " thence in an easterly direction"
If I draw my quadrant(+) in the middle of the sketch. The line that is described as the northeast boundary line, at some point that line is going to go into the southwest quadrant. Then it would be the southwest boundary.
Easterly doesn't just have to be a direction.
East Is A Cardinal Direction, Always Capitalize
:good:
western...
Thanks NYLS. I generally agree with you, but there are times that a description can get complicated, and I think added emphasis might be important. Yes, for the most part, the scrivener needs to write a description in such a way that a land surveyor can stake it out...but don't you think the seller ought to be able to understand it to some extent as well? What about a legal counsel?
"...would it not be more correct rather than to say "to the east boundary of Section 10", to perhaps say "to the division line between Section 10 and the west and Section ____ on the east"?"
No, but it would be more correct to say "to the East line of Section 10."
I like that Kent. It helps the eye to read it. I like the use of italics too. What does "R3" mean in your description?
then. if....then. (sorry I couldn't help myself)
> I like that Kent. It helps the eye to read it. I like the use of italics too. What does "R3" mean in your description?
At the beginning of the description, I define some abbreviations and shorthand notations used in the metes and bounds that follow. For example "Standard Rod and Cap" is shorthand for a type of monument with a detailed description.
In that description, record data came from quite a few difference sources to which I gave shorthand references here:
Mark,
The one time I dont use spell and grammer check.
To capitalize or not? - Metes and Bounds or Not?
When I am forced to write a metes and bounds description I use Kent's approach and use formatting to improve the clarity of the description.
Now for the bigger question - why are we writing metes and bounds descriptions in 2015?
Before I write any metes and bounds description I ascertain that it is MANDATORY to have a new metes and bounds description. It is uncommon for the client to understand that there are many forms of legal descriptions and when they see the term "legal description" they think about the confusing mess of words that call out bearings and distances and other properties.
When the client just needs a written legal description mine typically say something along the lines of "That portion of Section 10 Township ## North Range ## East Some Meridian Some State containing ##.# acres more or less all as shown on the attached Exhibit "A""
And of course Exhibit A is one or more 8.5" x 11" or 8.5" x 14" drawings that depict the subject lands. Exhibit A is attached to, part of, and recorded with the document acting on the land.
For nearly 100% of the public and lands professionals, the subject lands can be shown more clearly and with less ambiguity on a drawing vs. a metes and bounds description. Calls to adjoiners can be part of the drawing by simply including an arrow along the line to the adjoiner and the words "to the east boundary of Section 10". It is possible to include every element that is contained in a metes and bounds description on the drawing.
Where it's possible to do so, advocate eliminating those rules and regulations that unnecessarily call for the creation of new metes and bounds descriptions.
I rarely use "north, south, east, west" when closing onto a boundary, the margin of a right-of-way or geographic feature. I am more likely to use "northerly, easterly..." and I don't capitalize the adjective. I do, however capitalize when describing the "East Quarter Corner" or when using a cardinal direction in a legal description, i.e.; "NORTH, SOUTH, EAST, WEST", Never N 90° E. That's it for now from Bluejean City, Oregon...
PS: For those of you in the "original thirteen states", please don't pull the coin out of your pocket and try to figure out where the east quarter corner is...
I agree. "East Boundary" is a thing; "eastern or easterly Boundary" is a description of a thing.
SE of the north Quarter Corner?
Calls Along "Adjoiners" Are Capitalized
Along Lot 3 requires the L to be capitalized. Along lot of John Doe does not require the l to be capitalized.
In most Aliquot descriptions calls to aliquot adjoiners can get pretty messy. Township and Section lines where applicable are less confusing.
Paul in PA