Purposes of legal descriptions, and metes and bounds

Identifying the land

A legal description identifies the land affected by a deed, mortgage, easement, or other legal instrument. It must make the parcel locatable. An address helps visitors, an acreage statement gives quantity, and a tax parcel number helps locate assessment records; none should be assumed to replace a complete boundary description. Addresses can change or serve several parcels.

Reading metes and bounds

Metes are measurements, including directions and distances. Bounds are boundary limits, often identified through monuments, adjoining land, or natural features. Read the calls as instructions tracing the perimeter.

The point of beginning, or POB, starts the parcel boundary. A point of commencement, or POC, is a reference point from which a preliminary tie may lead to the POB. That approach is not part of the perimeter merely because it appears first.

A straight-line call normally provides direction and distance. N 30° E means thirty degrees east of north, not thirty degrees north of east. Distance alone does not establish direction.

Starting at the southwest POB, travel north 100 feet, east 200 feet, south 100 feet, and west 200 feet. The boundary closes at the POB. Its perimeter is 100 + 200 + 100 + 200 = 600 feet; the approach tie is excluded.

Closure and location

Closure means returning to the point of beginning. A closed shape can still occupy the wrong location, so the description also needs an identifiable location. Monuments may be natural, such as an identified rock, or artificial, such as a survey marker. A visible fence is not necessarily the legal boundary. If calls conflict or a marker appears displaced, obtain qualified surveying and legal assistance rather than choosing a boundary yourself.

On an exam, separate location from quantity, commencement from beginning, and approach ties from boundary calls. Trace the calls in order and check closure.