Writing a Legal Description as a Professional Land Surveyor
Gathering Information
- Collect all field notes, maps, and records related to the property survey.
- Ensure that the survey data is accurate and up to date before proceeding.
- Examine any title documents, deeds, or previous legal descriptions associated with the property.
- Understand the legal framework and any restrictions or easements that may exist.
- Engage with property owners or attorneys to clarify any legal or boundary issues.
- Discuss any specific requirements or constraints for the legal description.
- Visit the property to visually inspect and measure the boundaries.
- Use appropriate surveying equipment to accurately determine the property boundaries.
- Conduct research on the property's history and cultural significance.
- Consider any historical or cultural factors that may impact the legal description.
- Review zoning and land use regulations applicable to the property.
- Take into account any restrictions or requirements that may affect the legal description.
- Speak to neighboring property owners or occupants to gather insights on the property boundaries.
- Consider any shared boundaries or potential conflicts that may arise.
- Reach out to local government agencies or departments for additional information.
- Obtain any relevant records or documents that may assist in creating the legal description.
Identifying the Property
- Review all available property records, including surveys, deeds, and legal documents.
- Research any relevant boundary disputes or discrepancies.
- Use surveying tools and techniques, such as measuring tapes and theodolites, to establish the exact boundaries.
- Inspect the property for natural features like rivers, streams, or hills that may serve as boundary markers.
- Identify man-made features such as fences, walls, or roads that indicate property boundaries.
- Use aerial imagery or topographic maps to identify additional features that may define the property lines.
- Use triangulation or traverse methods to accurately determine the property corners.
- Set up surveying equipment, such as total stations or GPS receivers, at each corner point.
- Measure the angles and distances between the corners to establish the precise boundaries.
- Review previous surveys, deeds, and legal documents related to the property
- Look for any recorded easements or restrictions on the property
- Examine any previous survey maps or plats
- Physically visit the property
- Inspect the boundaries of the property
- Look for any physical markers, such as boundary stones, fences, or walls
- Identify any markers set by previous surveys
- Use GPS equipment to collect precise location data
- Employ total stations or laser scanners to measure distances and angles
- Record the collected measurements and data for further analysis
- Communicate with neighboring property owners to gather information about shared boundaries
- Consult with local authorities, such as county or municipal offices, for any available records or information
- Resolve any discrepancies or conflicts in property boundaries through communication and collaboration
- Identify any legal restrictions or easements that may impact the property
- Review relevant legal documents or agreements
- Take into account any right-of-ways or conservation easements that may affect the property's boundaries
- Assess any changes or alterations made to the property since the last survey
- Consider new constructions, demolitions, or land improvements
- Take note of any changes in land use or structures that may impact the property's boundaries
Writing the Legal Description
Language and Formatting
Review and Verification
Certification and Recording
- Use your official stamp or seal to sign the legal description.
- Ensure the signature and seal are clear and legible.
- Follow any guidelines or requirements set by the local regulations for signing and sealing documents.
- Write your professional land surveyor license number on the legal description.
- Include your full name, professional address, phone number, and email address as contact information.
- Ensure the license number and contact information are clearly visible and easy to read.
- Attach any additional documents or exhibits that are necessary to support or clarify the legal description.
- Ensure the documents are organized and labeled correctly.
- Follow any specific requirements or guidelines set by the jurisdiction for including additional documentation.
- Prepare the necessary copies of the legal description.
- Contact the appropriate authorities to determine the submission process and requirements.
- Submit the copies of the legal description to the authorities along with any required forms or fees.
Documentation and Archiving
- Make a digital copy of the final legal description and save it in a designated folder on your computer.
- Print a physical copy of the final legal description and file it in a labeled folder or binder for easy reference.
- Scan any field notes or maps related to the legal description and save them in the same designated folder on your computer.
- Keep physical copies of field notes and maps in a separate labeled folder or binder for physical reference.
- Consider using a cloud storage service to securely store the digital copies of the legal description and associated documents.
- If using physical copies, store them in a locked cabinet or safe to ensure their security.
- Access the relevant databases or record-keeping systems and locate the entry corresponding to the previous legal description.
- Update the entry with the new legal description information, ensuring accuracy and consistency with other records.
Use in Manifestly