What does a quitclaim deed do?

A quitclaim deed is a legal instrument used to transfer interest in a property from one party to another without providing any guarantees about the ownership or the status of the title. This type of deed is particularly important because it does not imply that the seller (the grantor) has a valid claim to the property or that the property is free of any liens or claims. In essence, a quitclaim deed merely conveys whatever interest the grantor may have in the property without any warranties or guarantees.

This makes it distinct from other types of deeds, such as warranty deeds, which do assure the grantee of clear title and ownership. Quitclaim deeds are often used in transactions where the parties know each other well, such as family transfers or divorces, because the lack of guarantees means that the grantee takes on more risk regarding the property's title. Thus, this type of deed does not confirm or admit to any legal claims, making the assertion accurate regarding its function and limitations.