Transfer Property with a Quit Claim Deed
The Department of Revenue offers an overview of types of deeds used to transfer property.
A quit claim deed can be used to transfer property or titles.
Deeds can be used to transfer property or titles from a grantor (or seller) to a grantee (or buyer). Warranty and limited warranty deeds are usually the most reliable because they offer a “covenant” proving that the land is indeed owned by the grantor. However, they are harder to get and often take more time to negotiate.
Quit claim deeds, also called a non-warranty deeds, are sometimes used to transfer property as well as clear titles. Sellers tend to be more willing to transfer property through quit claim deeds. However, quit claim deeds offer no warranty that the grantor owns or has any rights to transfer the property.
Before accepting a quit claim deed, it is best to be educated on the subject and get proper protection, such as title insurance. Sometimes, the situation can get sticky, so it’s best to be prepared and act with due diligence.
In the past, quit claim deeds gave complete ownership to the holder after 7 years of uncontested use — even if the person who gave you the deed wasn’t the real owner. Now, it’s not as simple. More documentation than just the quit claim deed is required to be recognized as the official owner of property.
Deeds in general can be tricky, so you may wish to consult a real estate attorney before using a quit claim deed to transfer property. You can find a lawyer through the State Bar of Georgia.