Quitclaim deed
A deed that transfers whatever interest the seller has, with no promises about the quality of title. Common between family members or spouses in a divorce. Rare in arm's length sales.
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Part 1 of 4
Why a seller cares
A quitclaim transfers whatever you have with no promises, which is why it is used between family and after a divorce and almost never in a sale. Seeing one in your home's history is a common reason for a title question.
Part 2 of 4
A simple example
Your ex-spouse quitclaimed the home to you in the divorce. The title search shows the quitclaim and asks about the mortgage still in both names.
| The situation | What a quitclaim does |
|---|---|
| Divorce: one spouse keeps the home | Passes the other's interest, but not the loan |
| Adding a child to title | Passes a share, with no title promises |
| A stranger's sale | Almost never used; buyers and lenders want a warranty deed |
A quitclaim moves interest, not certainty. What it moved is only as good as what the giver had.
Part 3 of 4
What people get wrong
That a quitclaim takes a name off the mortgage. It moves ownership only; the loan stays with whoever signed it.
Part 4 of 4 · where to read next
Where it appears in the sale
What a definition is, and what it isn't
Keighbor is a software company, not a law firm, brokerage, or tax adviser. This is general information, not legal, tax, financial, or real estate advice about your sale. Your situation may differ. Before acting on a contract, disclosure, title, tax, or pricing question, ask an appropriately licensed professional in your state.
Written and researched by Keighbor Research · drawn from the reference glossary · how we research and check what we publish
In your Room, this word explains itself where it appears.
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