Texas Surveyors Practice Exam

In legal terms, what does the absence of a description regarding land in a deed imply under the Strips and Gore Doctrine?

1. Ownership is clearly defined

2. Ownership may be contested

3. Ownership is assumed to belong to the grantee

4. Ownership is transferred to the state

The correct answer is: Ownership is assumed to belong to the grantee

Under the Strips and Gore Doctrine, the absence of a description regarding land in a deed suggests that ownership is assumed to belong to the grantee. This legal principle addresses the situation where land may be added or lost due to natural processes, such as erosion or deposition. When a deed does not specifically describe the boundaries of the property, courts generally favor the grantee, meaning that they are assumed to have rights to any land that is naturally added to that property. This presumption helps to clarify potential ambiguities in property ownership and protects the rights of those who are in possession of land, allowing them to benefit from any shifts in property lines due to natural changes. This concept is fundamental in real estate law, ensuring that property rights are maintained even in situations where physical boundaries may fluctuate over time. The other options, while they touch on aspects of land ownership, do not encapsulate the unique implications of the Strips and Gore Doctrine regarding the assumption of ownership by the grantee in the absence of a clear description in a deed.