# Legally correct way to reference properties
**URL:** https://www.mineralrightsforum.com/t/legally-correct-way-to-reference-properties/45408
**Category:** Law & Legal
**Created:** [May 2, 2019, 3:07pm UTC](https://www.mineralrightsforum.com/t/legally-correct-way-to-reference-properties/45408 "2019-05-02T15:07:54Z")
**Posts on this page:** 7
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@tarheel](https://www.mineralrightsforum.com/u/tarheel)
#### Post date: [May 2, 2019, 3:07pm UTC](https://www.mineralrightsforum.com/t/legally-correct-way-to-reference-properties/45408/1 "2019-05-02T15:07:54Z")
What’s the maximally abbreviated format for describing a property in preparing a deed? For example, what’s the shortest legally valid way of writing “NW/4 SE/4 of Section 5 of 9N-5E in Seminole County?” What are the limits on abbreviations for each of the components? Should single-digit Sections, Townships, and Ranges be preceded by a zero? Must there be a “T” or “Twn” or “Township” preceding the Township number; same for “Range” and “Section”?
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### Author:  [@Richard\_Winblad](https://www.mineralrightsforum.com/u/Richard_Winblad)
#### Post date: [May 2, 2019, 6:02pm UTC](https://www.mineralrightsforum.com/t/legally-correct-way-to-reference-properties/45408/2 "2019-05-02T18:02:53Z")
> [@tarheel](#):
>
> NW/4 SE/4 of Section 5 of 9N-5E in Seminole County
That probably works, also NW/4 SE/4 Sec. 5 T9N R5E
Be wary of warrantying title, accepting drafts for deeds, etc.
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### Author:  [@tarheel](https://www.mineralrightsforum.com/u/tarheel)
#### Post date: [May 17, 2019, 6:56pm UTC](https://www.mineralrightsforum.com/t/legally-correct-way-to-reference-properties/45408/3 "2019-05-17T18:56:55Z")
“NW/4 SE/4 Sec. 5 T9N R5E”: would “5-09N-05E” be acceptable? I.e. is it essential to have “Sec.”? Are the “T” and “R” essential? Are spaces better than hyphens as separators?
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### Author:  [@Richard\_Winblad](https://www.mineralrightsforum.com/u/Richard_Winblad)
#### Post date: [May 17, 2019, 7:58pm UTC](https://www.mineralrightsforum.com/t/legally-correct-way-to-reference-properties/45408/4 "2019-05-17T19:58:38Z")
“NW/4 SE/4 Sec. 5 T9N R5E”: is the simplest. When Sec., T & R are left out there could be some confusion. The absolute proper way would be to spell out every word.
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### Author:  [@ABond](https://www.mineralrightsforum.com/u/ABond)
#### Post date: [May 17, 2019, 8:17pm UTC](https://www.mineralrightsforum.com/t/legally-correct-way-to-reference-properties/45408/5 "2019-05-17T20:17:11Z")
There’s a lot of ways to abbreviate a property. The main point is that the property must be identifiable no matter how you abbreviate it. When in doubt, include an abstract number. You will definitely want to make sure you have the state name in the description though. I like including acreage for the sake of consistency, but it’s not required.
If I were writing that description it would look more like this: NW/4 SE/4 of Sec 5, T9N, R5E, Seminole County, STATE ABBREVIATION, containing xx.xx acres, more or less.
If you want an abstract number in it, it would look similar to this: NW/4 SE/4 of Sec 5, T9N, R5E, A - #, Seminole County, STATE ABBREVIATION, containing xx.xx acres, more or less.
There’s no real “set” place for an Abstract number in a legal description. I usually see it after the section number or before the county name.
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### Author:  [@TennisDaze](https://www.mineralrightsforum.com/u/TennisDaze)
#### Post date: [May 17, 2019, 8:19pm UTC](https://www.mineralrightsforum.com/t/legally-correct-way-to-reference-properties/45408/6 "2019-05-17T20:19:04Z")
Why are you anxious to abbreviate a legal description in a deed? For clarity it is preferable to have a detailed description.
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### Author:  [@MRFAdmin\_SV](https://www.mineralrightsforum.com/u/MRFAdmin_SV)
#### Post date: [January 11, 2025, 7:28pm UTC](https://www.mineralrightsforum.com/t/legally-correct-way-to-reference-properties/45408/7 "2025-01-11T19:28:59Z")