Detailed Answer
If you need to confirm who legally owns a part of land that belonged to your grandfather in Michigan, start with the public records that document who holds title. The single most important first step is to locate and review the recorded deed(s) and the chain of title for the parcel at the county level. These records show how ownership transferred over time and whether the property passed through probate, sale, gift, or other means.
Why start with recorded deeds and the chain of title?
In Michigan, ownership of real estate is established by written instruments (deeds) that are recorded in the county Register of Deeds. A chain of title links the current deed back through prior deeds and other instruments (wills, probate transfers, quitclaim deeds, easements, mortgages). By following that chain, you can see who has legal title now and how the property changed hands.
How to perform the first step (practical checklist)
- Identify the county. Determine which county the land is located in. Property records are kept at the county level.
- Visit the county Register of Deeds (or its online portal). Search for your grandfather’s name and the parcel’s legal description. Many counties offer online searchable databases of recorded documents; if not, visit the Register of Deeds office in person.
- Obtain a copy of the most recent deed. The deed will show the current named owner(s), the legal description, and references to prior instruments.
- Trace the chain of title. Pull earlier deeds and related recorded documents (probate transfers, affidavits, quitclaims, corrective deeds) back far enough to explain how the parcel was divided or passed on after your grandfather.
- Check probate records. If your grandfather died owning the land, the probate file can show whether the land passed under a will or by Michigan intestacy rules. County probate courts maintain estate files. For general court information, see the Michigan Courts website: https://courts.michigan.gov.
- Consult the county tax assessor and GIS maps. Tax records and parcel maps show parcel boundaries, parcel numbers, and assessed owners. These resources help identify whether the “portion” you are concerned about is a distinct parcel or part of a larger tract.
When you’ll need help beyond the first step
If the recorded documents show ambiguity (overlapping deeds, missing transfers, or unclear legal descriptions), the matter can become technical. Look out for:
- Missing recorded conveyances or gaps in the chain of title.
- Discrepancies between tax parcel lines and the legal description in recorded deeds.
- Probate issues: no record of transfer from the decedent’s estate.
- Possible adverse possession, prescriptive easements, or boundary disputes.
At that point, consider hiring a title company to run a formal title search and/or a licensed Michigan attorney (a real property or probate attorney) to interpret the documents and advise next steps. Title companies and attorneys can provide abstracts, title commitments, and opinions of ownership.
Helpful government and public resources
- Michigan Legislature (statutes and legislative information): https://www.legislature.mi.gov/
- Michigan Courts (probate court information and links to local courts): https://courts.michigan.gov/
- County Register of Deeds or local county website — search for your county’s Register of Deeds office and online records via the county website.
Helpful Hints
- Bring identifying information: full legal name, approximate address or location, and any parcel identification number (PIN) you have.
- Start online: many county registers of deeds and tax assessor sites let you search by name or parcel number from home.
- Look for variations: deeds can list nicknames, initials, or middle names. Search multiple name variants.
- Legal descriptions matter: deeds use metes-and-bounds or lot-and-block descriptions. Compare descriptions across documents to confirm you’re looking at the same portion of land.
- Get copies of wills and probate files if the property was part of an estate — probate records may not be recorded in the Register of Deeds but are held by the probate court.
- Consider a property survey if boundaries are contested or unclear. A licensed surveyor can tie the legal description to physical markers on the land.
- A title search or title insurance commitment from a title company is an efficient way to confirm gaps or defects in title before making decisions.
- Keep careful notes and document every document number, book/page, or instrument number you find during your search.
- If you encounter conflicting claims or complex probate questions, consult a Michigan real property or probate attorney promptly.