Detailed Answer

Quick summary: If a current survey and deed research show that title to the parcel was transferred out of your deceased mother’s estate decades ago and the conveyance was properly recorded, a court is likely to treat the buyer (or their heirs) as the legal owner. That usually means you do not hold a property interest. However, there are limited exceptions and steps you should take before assuming you have no options.

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

How Ohio law treats an old recorded conveyance

Title to real estate in Ohio depends on the chain of title shown by recorded instruments, the authority of the person who transferred the property, and whether any legal defects (fraud, forgery, lack of authority) allow a challenge. Key legal ideas to understand:

Recordation and chain of title: A properly executed and recorded deed generally passes title to the named grantee and subsequent purchasers rely on the public record. See Ohio Revised Code, Chapter 5301 (Recording of conveyances): https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/chapter-5301.
Executor/administrator authority in probate: If the property was sold or conveyed by an executor or administrator of your mother’s estate, the sale is valid if the personal representative followed Ohio probate rules and court orders. See Ohio Revised Code, Chapter 2113 (Administration of estates): https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/chapter-2113.
Finality and statutes of limitation: Many challenges to old conveyances are subject to statutes of limitation. Ohio’s general limitations and related rules can bar claims after a fixed period. See Ohio Revised Code, Chapter 2305 (Statute of limitations): https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/chapter-2305.

Typical outcomes when a deed shows transfer decades ago

Based on the usual fact pattern, one of these results typically follows:

No legal interest for heirs: If the deed was properly executed by the person with authority (for example, the executor acting under court authority) and recorded, the named grantee (or their successors) holds title. Heirs who are not in the chain of title usually do not have a property interest.
Title is likely quieted in favor of the grantee: Long-standing, recorded conveyances combined with uninterrupted possession strengthen the grantee’s claim and make successful challenges difficult.
Possible grounds to challenge (rare and fact-specific): You may have a claim only if you can show a serious legal defect such as forgery, fraud, lack of probate authority, a void or improperly recorded instrument, or some other clear defect that Ohio courts will accept. Relief often requires proof and may be limited by time bars.

What to do next — practical steps to confirm your rights

Before concluding you have no interest, follow these steps to confirm the facts and preserve any possible claims:

Obtain certified copies of the deed(s) shown by the survey and by a county recorder search. A certified copy lets you confirm names, dates, and signatures in the public record.
Pull the probate file for your mother at the county probate court. Look for the estate inventory, orders authorizing sales, and the final distribution. If an executor sold property, the probate docket will often show the authority or objection records. See Ohio Revised Code, Chapter 2113: https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/chapter-2113.
Get a title search or report from a title company to confirm the chain of title and any liens, gaps, or exceptions.
Check for recording errors or forgery (signatures, notary issues, dates). If you suspect forgery or fraud, inform an attorney promptly, because timing rules may apply.
Talk to a real property attorney in Ohio if you find possible defects. An attorney can explain whether you have a viable challenge, the likely remedy, and any deadlines you must meet.

Possible legal remedies (only in limited circumstances)

If a valid legal defect exists, potential remedies include:

Filing a declaratory or quiet title action to ask the court to declare who owns the property. Ohio law provides procedures for actions to determine title. See Ohio Revised Code, Chapter 5303 (Actions to determine title to lands): https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/chapter-5303.
Challenging a probate sale within any applicable deadline if the sale occurred without authority or involved misconduct by the personal representative.
Claims for fraud or forgery if the deed was obtained by deceit or forged signatures; these claims often require clear proof and may still be subject to time limits.

When it’s most likely you have no remedy

In many cases where decades have passed, records show a valid transfer, and successors have relied on the record, courts will not undo the transfer. This is especially true if the grantee (or subsequent titleholders) paid value, recorded the deed, and possessed the property for a long period. Time bars and evidentiary difficulties make successful challenges uncommon unless there is a glaring defect.

Helpful Hints

Start with the county recorder and probate court where your mother lived — those public records usually resolve most title questions.
Collect any documents you have: wills, letters from the estate, tax notices, correspondence about the property, and past surveys.
Order a current title report if you plan to contest anything — it shows exactly who the record owner is and lists recorded issues.
Act promptly if you suspect fraud or an unauthorized sale; statutes of limitation can run long before you discover the problem.
If cost is a concern, some attorneys offer an initial consultation or a limited review of documents for a flat fee.
Remember that equitable doctrines (laches, estoppel) can prevent relief if heirs waited too long to contest a long-ago transfer.
Keep all communications and copies of documents you gather — those will help any lawyer evaluate your position.

Bottom line: a decades-old, recorded conveyance typically means the buyer (and successors) own the property under Ohio law. But because rare exceptions exist, confirm the deed and probate records, get a title report, and consult a licensed Ohio real estate or probate attorney if you see signs of fraud or improper procedure.

Not legal advice. Contact a licensed attorney in Ohio for guidance about your specific situation.