Detailed Answer — What this usually means and what to do next

If a recent survey or title search shows that the property was conveyed out of your mother’s estate decades ago, the most likely legal effect is that title passed at the time of that conveyance to the named grantee (the buyer or transferee). In plain terms: if the conveyance was valid when made, and the county records and probate court show a completed transfer, you generally will not have an ownership interest in that parcel today.

That conclusion depends on several key facts. Below is a roadmap of the common scenarios, what each means, and practical next steps under Illinois law.

1) Conveyance during probate (sale by the personal representative)

If your mother’s estate went through probate and a court-appointed personal representative (executor or administrator) sold the property with court approval (if required) or as authorized by the will and Illinois probate law, the sale normally cleans title. You would not have an interest if the sale was properly handled and recorded.

Action steps: obtain the probate file from the circuit court where probate was handled (probate docket, letters testamentary/letters of office, any order approving sale) and the recorded deed from the county recorder/recorder of deeds office.

2) Conveyance by deed executed during your mother’s lifetime

If your mother executed a deed transferring the property before she died, the transfer takes effect when the deed was validly delivered and recorded (subject to any later legal attack). Again, the default result is that you would not inherit that property because it was already transferred.

3) Conveyance that is potentially void or voidable (fraud, forgery, lack of authority)

There are situations where an otherwise recorded conveyance can be set aside or attacked, for example:

• Forgery of your mother’s signature on the deed;
• The personal representative lacked authority or sold illegally (no letters, no court approval where required);
• Fraud, undue influence, or other misconduct affecting the transfer;
• Clerical or recording errors that placed the wrong property or wrong names on the deed.

Remedies in these cases can include a suit to set aside the conveyance, a quiet-title action, or a probate-court petition to reopen or challenge estate administration — but such remedies often have strict time limits and require proof. You should not assume you can undo an old conveyance without reviewing the records and timing.

4) Statute of limitations and evidentiary hurdles

Many claims to undo old transfers are subject to Illinois statutes of limitation and laches (delay defenses). Evidence erodes with time, witnesses die or memories fade, and courts are more likely to protect the expectations of current record title holders. That is why, if you suspect irregularities, you should act promptly to preserve rights and gather records.

5) Quiet-title vs. will/probate challenges

The practical litigation paths include:

• Quiet-title action — to declare who legally owns the property today and to clear competing claims;
• Probate petition — to challenge the validity of transactions that occurred during estate administration (if the probate file shows errors or misconduct and the court still has jurisdiction);
• Tort or fraud claims — if the conveyance involved deceit, forgery, or other actionable misconduct.

6) Title insurance and market consequences

If there is a title insurance policy issued after the conveyance, the insurer may defend the current owner against challenges and may have obligations depending on the policy terms. If you learn of an old conveyance while trying to sell or otherwise claim property, title companies and buyers will insist on clear recorded title or a court order resolving any disputes.

7) Practical next steps you can take right now

1. Get certified copies of the recorded deed(s) and obtain a copy of the probate file (court docket, letters, order approving sale) from the circuit court where your mother’s probate took place.
2. Ask the county recorder/recorder of deeds for a full title chain (chain of title) for the parcel.
3. Check for any title insurance policy (sometimes the estate or a later buyer had one).
4. If the conveyance looks irregular (forgery, no court authorization, or conflicting wills), contact a real estate or probate attorney promptly to evaluate contest windows and possible remedies.
5. If you need to confirm status or next remedies yourself, the Illinois Courts website and the Illinois General Assembly statute pages provide basic legal information and links to local court clerk contacts: https://www.illinoiscourts.gov/ and https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs.asp

Bottom line: A recorded, lawful conveyance out of your mother’s estate decades ago usually means you have no present ownership interest. But if the transfer was invalid for legal reasons (fraud, forgery, lack of authority, or some procedural defect) you may have limited remedies — and those remedies are time-sensitive and fact-dependent. Get the probate and deed records and talk with an attorney for a case-specific recommendation.

Disclaimer: This is educational information only and not legal advice. For advice about your specific situation, consult a licensed Illinois attorney.

Helpful Hints — quick checklist and guidance

• Obtain records first: certified deed, chain of title, and probate file — these documents answer most questions.
• Confirm who served as personal representative and whether the sale had court approval during probate.
• Look for recorded affidavits or release documents that could explain the transaction.
• If the conveyance is old but you suspect fraud, preserve evidence and contact an attorney quickly — time limits may apply.
• Talk to the county recorder/recorder of deeds for recording history and to the county clerk for probate dockets if you don’t know where probate happened.
• Consider title insurance: a current owner often has protection that can affect how disputes are resolved.
• If you’re trying to buy, sell, or refinance and discover this issue, notify your title company and a lawyer — lenders and buyers require clear title.
• Use official Illinois resources for forms and local court information: Illinois Courts (https://www.illinoiscourts.gov/) and the Illinois Compiled Statutes search (https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs.asp).