Hello - for a couple of years we’ve been having a Landman want to buy about a half acre property we own and this year they seem to be willing to pay the legal part because we can’t find the information from my dad’s will, I was just wondering if anybody knows if something major is happening out there and why we have a couple of different Landman reaching out to us.
Thank you.
Minerals are real property and the value depends on the number of net mineral acres, location and well activity. Do not sell until you determine exactly what you own and what it is worth. Winkler is a very active county and there are lots of wells. Landmen are reaching out because it is valuable and there is money to be made. If there are producing wells which include your minerals, then there will be accumulated royalties held in suspense by the oil company. Check the unclaimed funds in Texas and in the state where your father or grandfather lived to see if any royalties are being held there. Post the legal description (section, block, survey) in Winkler County and someone can help you see activity in the area. You can search for any deeds recorded in Winkler County records in the name of your father, mother or grandparents on line through sites such as TexasFile. Was your father’s will probated in Texas or another state? You can file a copy of the probate in Winkler County to establish title. If it was not probated, then the minerals will go to his heirs as set forth in the Texas statutes and you can establish this by affidavit or other legal filing.