My mother’s parents owned mineral rights in Latimer and Kingfisher counties in Oklahoma. These rights were part my grandparents Trust which was converted into my parents’ Trust after their passing back in the early 90’s. My father passed away two years ago, and my mother and I are trying to determine the status of these mineral rights that are now part of my parents’ Trust.
We have copies of mineral deeds with the following details:
- Latimer County Mineral Deed
- 80 Acres of Section #6 (S/2NW/4) -3N-21E
- Kingfisher County Mineral Deed (Without Warranty)
- Not sure what Without Warranty implies?
- 80 Acres of Section #31 (E/2 SW/4) – 19N-5W
I have been looking up details at the www.okcountyrecords.com website and have found copies of the mineral deeds for both Latimer and Kingfisher counties as well as an Oil & Gas Lease (where the Grantor is Sohio Petroleum Co) and Quit Claim Deed (where the Grantee is Philip Ozment) for Latimer County for a different township of S6 T3 R21 S2 NW.
Now that I have found out this information, what should my next steps should be? Here are my initial thoughts:
- Determine if there is actual drilling going on at these sites? To date, my grandparents Trust nor my Parents’ Trust have not received any royalties or payments from any kind. Is there any monies owned to the Trust? How do I find this out?
- Contact the County Clerk’s office to have the mineral deeds show updated ownership under my parents’ Trust. Not sure if copies of my grandparents’ death certificates are needed for this? Can someone help me as to who I should contact?
- I have been told it is recommended to contact a Land Man who can help me with these matters. What specifically can a Landman help me with? Can someone give me a name of a landman to call and discuss this with?
Thank You greatly for any help with these complicated matters!