Questions Answered! What Is The Legal Description Of A Property

Legal descriptions are typically found in the deeds that are found in the recorder of deeds office in each county. There are two main types of legal descriptions used today: subdivision reference or a meet’s and bounds description.

The meets and bounds description are typically found in more rural areas where development is minimal. It would reference a section, township, and range and then have a written description as to the location of the land.

A subdivision reference would typically refer to a lot number, a block number, subdivision name and a recorded plat book and page. A copy of the subdivision plat is kept in the recorder of deeds office at the county. That plat is a drawing that clearly labels and identifies all of the property lines for each lot and block within that subdivision and looks like a map with lots of information on it. Most subdivisions start as a meets and bounds description that is made into smaller parcels and instead of creating multiple meets and bounds descriptions a subdivision plat is created to convey the information about the property.