What does a special warranty deed specify?

A special warranty deed is a type of deed that provides limited guarantees about the title of the property. Specifically, it ensures that the person transferring the property (the grantor) is only responsible for claims that arose during their period of ownership. This means that the special warranty deed typically specifies that there may be existing legal claims against the land but only guarantees that there have been no claims made against the property during the time the grantor owned it.

This is contrasting to other types of deeds, like a general warranty deed, which offers broader protection to the buyer by guaranteeing that the property is free of claims from any time period prior to the transfer. Thus, the focus of a special warranty deed is on the grantor's ownership period and does not extend assurances regarding prior ownership or potential claims that might predate the grantor's tenure.

By understanding this, one can appreciate the limited nature of the coverage provided by a special warranty deed and recognize its implications for the buyer regarding possible claims against the property.