My sister and two brothers just inherited working oil rights from our parents. I have emailed and called around but can’t seem to get any answers from attorneys or oil company. How do we start the paperwork to transfer deed? We are getting checks every month in mom’s name. We are in Beckham County, Oklahoma.
Was your inheritance the result of a probated will?
If so the executor of the will needs to file a mineral deed from your parents to you and your siblings.
Do you have any documentation as to the “working oil rights”?
I personally would take all your legal documents and go to the courthouse in that place and file your documents! You have to show that you inherited the rights to do things for your mother after her death! A death certificate, her birth certificate, yours, and documents showing “the papers you and she signed, putting you in charge = titles transferred to you, power of attorney, etc.”
Where she died and/or where you lived while taking care of her and signing said documents have to be witnessed and stamped by a state auditor, or attorney’s secretary, etc., or a licensed notary (anyone or anywhere), then file these in the courthouse! You should be legal to take care of anything of hers after this, but Social Security checks, retirement checks, royalty checks, anything with her name on it cannot be cashed or used by you! Check with your local bank, ask for advice from a bank manager. Leave attorneys out of it; a lot of things can get done by you or asking for help from attorneys or legal entities that will help you for free!
Great advice. Will follow up on it. Thank you so much.
Hi Lauri -
First, let me offer my sincerest condolences on the loss of your parents. That is never an easy thing to have to live through.
If you will call the company(ies) that are sending checks in your Mother’s name and speak to someone in their Royalty Division Order Department, they will tell you everything you need to do to transfer the interests over to you and your siblings.
Your Father and Mother’s Attorney should know as well.
Hope this helps -
Charles Emery Tooke III Certified Professional Landman Fort Worth, Texas
That sounds pretty simple. Thanks.
You need to be aware that they will suspend any further payments until they are satisfied with the paperwork you’re going to be sending them. That’s called placing the royalties “in suspense”.
In your posting, you used the phrase “working oil rights”. On the checks your Mother has been receiving, after the decimal interest number, is there a letter “R” or the letters “RI” or the letter “W” or the letters “WI”?
“R” or “RI” would indicate that your Mother owned a Royalty Interest, which could be royalty retained in an Oil and Gas Lease or just a straight Royalty.
“W” or “WI” would indicate a Working Interest, which would make you and your other family members partners in the Well(s).
There’s a big difference.