My Father passed away in 1976. My Mother passed away in 2002. We knew that they owned mineral rights and there was a stack of deeds in a safe. There were some in Montana. At one point my brother hired an attorney to research the deeds in North Dakota, but not in Montana. All of the deeds showed an address for my Father that was incorrect as they were purchased in the 40's and 50's. Who should I contact to research to see if we own the minerals in Sheridan County, MT. I do have the deeds and land description.
Julia:
All mineral records would be on file at the County Clerks office in Plentywood, MT. You can either travel to this location or have someone assist you in record research. In the past, I have contacted the O'Toole Law firm in Plentywood in regards to my mineral area in Sheridan County. If you would supply the mineral description (Township/Range/Section), I can research any activity in your immediate are. First, you will need to verify that the minerals are still your parents name as I believe that Montana has the dormancy situation whereas mineral acreages must be claimed every twenty years. I would not waste time checking out this matter but it is your decision on how the records research can be handled. I feel that someone at this O'Toole law firm can provide the name or names of individuals that do record research. The last contact phone number that I have for the O'Toole Law firm is (406) 765-1630.
Thank you for the information.
charles s mallory said:
Julia:
All mineral records would be on file at the County Clerks office in Plentywood, MT. You can either travel to this location or have someone assist you in record research. In the past, I have contacted the O'Toole Law firm in Plentywood in regards to my mineral area in Sheridan County. If you would supply the mineral description (Township/Range/Section), I can research any activity in your immediate are. First, you will need to verify that the minerals are still your parents name as I believe that Montana has the dormancy situation whereas mineral acreages must be claimed every twenty years. I would not waste time checking out this matter but it is your decision on how the records research can be handled. I feel that someone at this O'Toole law firm can provide the name or names of individuals that do record research. The last contact phone number that I have for the O'Toole Law firm is (406) 765-1630.
You might be surprised for how little money you can have somebody from a title company perform a records search, IF you specify a short time period.
Sixty to seventy years is not really that small a time period, but I had a thorough title search for a 25-year time period performed for under $100, including copies of relevant deeds (not in Montana).
Pete, near the Bakken prices have gone insane, it may have not gotten too bad in Mt yet but last year there was a landman that said he charged $600 a day plus expenses in ND. I don't even want to guess what the room cost or 3 meals for that matter.
Yeah, in the New Albany Shale there was an abstract plant in one county who refused to allow landmen to inspect her records, she would do all the research herself, for something like $300 per tract, and if the tract bifurcated going back in title, then it was $300 to research EACH tract. So if a large tract today were composed of ten (10) tracts somewhere back in time, you could be looking at $3,000 for one tract! Complete lunacy, and in an undrilled area with unproven reserves. Even more idiotic.
Sheriden County, Montana
Township 36 North, Range 58 East M.M.
Section 25: Lots 7-8-9-10-11-12; Southeast Quarter of the Southwest Quarter (SE1/4SW1/4)
32.48/318.96ths acres
Township 36 North, Range 58 East M.M.
Lot: 5-7-8-; Southwest Quarter (SW1/4); South half of the Southeast Quarter (S1/2SE1/4) Section Twenty-Six (26)
Lot: 13 Section Twenty-Five (25).
Frank Montgomery, deceased
Julia Watters said:
Thank you for the information.
charles s mallory said:Julia:
All mineral records would be on file at the County Clerks office in Plentywood, MT. You can either travel to this location or have someone assist you in record research. In the past, I have contacted the O'Toole Law firm in Plentywood in regards to my mineral area in Sheridan County. If you would supply the mineral description (Township/Range/Section), I can research any activity in your immediate are. First, you will need to verify that the minerals are still your parents name as I believe that Montana has the dormancy situation whereas mineral acreages must be claimed every twenty years. I would not waste time checking out this matter but it is your decision on how the records research can be handled. I feel that someone at this O'Toole law firm can provide the name or names of individuals that do record research. The last contact phone number that I have for the O'Toole Law firm is (406) 765-1630.