Baton Rouge, LA asked in Estate Planning, Land Use & Zoning and Real Estate Law for Alabama

Q: i own 120 acres and my dad has a life estate on the property. he also owns the timber/mineral rights. can he sell them?

My father put the land in mine and my brothers name years ago but kept the timber/mineral rights. He has cut timber many times. Now he wants to sell the land and we don't agree. Can he sell the timber/mineral rights to someone without our knowledge? WHat happens to the land then?

1 Lawyer Answer
Anthony M. Avery
PREMIUM
Anthony M. Avery pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
Answered
  • Estate Planning Lawyer
  • Knoxville, TN

A: If the conveyance to you and your brother is enforceable, then his reserving timber and mineral rights will also be enforceable. That could involve the entire surface of the 120 acres. You apparently state that Father owns the fee in timber and minerals, but only a life estate in the property itself. That does not sound right, as it is most likely a life estate period. With that he could sell the timber and minerals to be removed during his lifetime. It might help to have a lawyer conduct a title search.

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.