Q: If I sign a quick claim deed, does it admit that I own that land?
My mother passed away 26 years ago with a will and a trust fund, so we did not have to go through probate. Apparently there was a plot of land in her name that was not included in her will. Now I am being asked to sign a quick claim deed, signing over to my nephew. If I sign this, does that mean I owned a piece of that land and could be held liable for any claims against that land for the last 26 years? What does it do for my own legal documents such as a bankruptcy where I declared I owned no other property, or income tax filings? I live in Ohio. Property is in IL.
A: A quit claim deed simply gives away any interest in the property an individual may have. It doesn't involve offering any guarantee as to the condition or title or the amount, or even existence, of an interest in property. So, no, it would not operate as an admission of having an ownership interest.
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