You’re talking apples and oranges. The landman will research the records. But if the land records show the mineral interest is owned by John Smith and JOhn Smith is alive, then he would contact John. But if John has died, and nothing is in the courthouse to reflect that, the landman needs somebody swearing under oath that Mr. Smith was or was not married, and had x number of kids. The research at the courthouse wouldn’t disclose that unless an estate proceeding had been done.
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