Legal Definitions - latent deed

Definition: A written instrument that conveys some interest in property and is kept in a secret place, usually for 20 years or more.

Example: John inherited a piece of land from his grandfather, but he never registered the deed with the county. Instead, he kept the deed in a strongbox in his attic for over 30 years. This is an example of a latent deed.

Explanation: A latent deed is a type of deed that is kept hidden or secret for a long period of time. It may be kept in a strongbox, safe, or other secure location. The purpose of keeping a deed latent is often to avoid paying taxes or to prevent others from discovering the ownership of the property. However, it is important to note that keeping a deed latent does not affect the validity of the transfer of ownership. The property still belongs to the person who holds the deed, even if it is not registered with the county or publicly known.