Howdy, I wanted to add my two cents on the subject of people not recording their deeds for several years. I am a land surveyor and it is not uncommon to still find people who have never recorded their deeds. Usually it is the same type of people who don't trust banks and bury their savings in jars. The deeds are still valid, but it makes our job harder in finding the real owner. Now, almost all land title transactions are handled by attorneys and land title companies who insure that the deeds are properly filed. It is easily believable that 100 or more years ago, when deeds were handwritten 'in the field', that people didn't see a real need in recording them. If someone came on their property to stake claim to it, they could get out their deed and prove ownership. Later, Henry P Mayo College Station, TX