I have an old mineral deed I just found that my grandfather bought in Williams County. Do these deeds expire or are they good for life?
Any help would be appreciated.
Jason
Go to the Recorder's office in Williston and do a title search...
Jason,
In North Dakota and a few states, severed mineral rights that are thought to be abandoned can be claimed by the surface owner. The law was in acted in the mid 1980's and requires positive action on the part of the mineral owner to show that the minerals have not been abandoned in 20 year increments without other activity. It is a fairly simple form to file. In your case, you may need to clear title through probate of willed or not willed chain of title.
Many of us on MRF can give you an idea of the potential of the land using the legal description in the deed and net mineral acres involved. You can then measure how aggressively you want to pursue confirmation of ownership. The first step may be to do a title search from court house records to see if Grandfather sold or the surface owner filed.
In some parts of the county, the minerals may have been force pooled into producing wells and the operator can't find your grandfather's heirs. That's the good news as the amount of money at the end of the rainbow may be known.
The process for a surface owner to reclaim severed minerals under their surface is simple but a little time consuming. I see where some surface owners have hired lawyer to do the legwork for a few thousand dollars.
If there has been no statement of claim or use [lease, money borrowed] against the minerals you need a statement of claim to prevent the surface owner from possibly reclaiming your minerals. I would be glad to help you determine if there has been exploration and possible value. I do not buy or sell minerals. you can pm me the description and I will private message you the results. Many fine wells in Williams. As they say on TV, you may have already won! There is also winning and winning big, but lets not get ahead of ourselves.