Quitclaim deed

What quitclaim deed means

In short, quitclaim deed is a term you will meet in court papers, rules and legal research. The definition above gives its usual meaning in American civil practice. However, the exact meaning can depend on the rule, statute or court decision that uses it. So it helps to read the term in context.

Where quitclaim deed comes up

The term is used across many kinds of cases. For example, you may see it in pleadings, motions and court orders. To see it in context, browse the motions and procedures library or the Learn the Law topics.

How to research the term

To research quitclaim deed, begin with the rule, statute or contract where the word is used. Each one can give it a slightly different meaning. Then compare that text with how courts in your area have applied it. Also check the local rules of your court, since they can add requirements. If your case is in state court, the state rules control. So start with our state procedures guide to find them. In the end, always confirm that the source you rely on is current.

You can read the current federal court rules online for free.

Related legal terms

• Public debt: the money the federal government owes on Treasury bills, notes, bonds and other securities it issues to borrow. Chapter 31 of Title 31 governs it, and 31 U.S.C. § 3123 pledges the faith of the United States to pay principal and interest on those obligations.
• Quash: to void or set aside, such as a subpoena or an indictment. Under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 45(d)(3), the court must quash or modify a subpoena that, for example, fails to allow a reasonable time to comply or subjects a person to undue burden.
• Qui tacet consentire videtur: latin maxim: "He who is silent appears to consent." It expresses a general idea, not a binding rule. In contract law, silence counts as acceptance only in narrow situations, such as when a person keeps offered benefits or past dealings make silence a reasonable sign of assent (Restatement (Second) of Contracts § 69).
• Quiet title: a lawsuit to establish ownership of real property against other claims.

Why precise terms matter

Courts read legal terms closely. As a result, knowing the exact meaning of a word helps you follow orders, rules and filings. Each glossary entry on Lawtopolis is short on purpose and links to the pages where the term is used.