Quit Claim Deeds – A Simple Way to Transfer Property in Missouri
At Affordable Legal Services, we believe legal help should be easy to access, affordable to obtain, and effective in resolving everyday legal concerns. If you need to remove a party from a real estate deed in Missouri, whether to a spouse, ex-spouse, or a family member, you may need a quit claim deed.
Handled improperly, this simple document can lead to major problems down the road. That’s why our licensed Missouri attorneys prepare and file quit claim deeds at reasonable, flat rates—giving you peace of mind knowing your real estate deed will be handled by a professional, and there will be no hourly clock running.
We work with clients across the entire state of Missouri, including Springfield, Kansas City, St. Louis, Columbia, Jefferson City, and all counties in between. And because we offer these services remotely, you don’t have to step foot in our office.
What Is a Quit Claim Deed?
A quit claim deed is a legal document in which one party (“Grantor”) gives up their own rights to real estate – the party “quits all claim” to the property (thus the name “Quit Claim”) and transfers whatever interest they have, if any, to another party. (“Grantee). Unlike other types of deeds, such as warranty deeds, a quit claim deed provides no guarantees or warranties about the property’s title—it simply conveys whatever interest the grantor currently holds, if any, to the grantee.
Quit claim deeds are most often used in situations where the parties know and trust each other, and one party wants to remove themself from the deed. This includes transfers between family members, gifts, ex-spouses pursuant to a divorce, or administrative updates to the title.
Common Situations for a Quit Claim Deed
Our clients use quit claim deeds for a variety of legal and personal reasons. These may include:
- When multiple family members are on an inherited title, one or more of them might use a quitclaim to leave their share to someone else.
- In divorce, one spouse can quitclaim — give up — the couple’s house, to comply with the terms of the divorce. This leaves the other one of the two spouses as sole owner of the home.
- Sometimes, people use quitclaim deeds to move the property into a new name after a name change.
- A quitclaim deed can be used in a contract for deed sale. This is an owner-financed sale – perhaps for a rent-to-own buyer, or to sell a property when traditional means haven’t worked. In this type of sale, the buyer can inhabit the home while paying off the contracted price in monthly installments. To avoid risk, the seller might ask the buyer for a quitclaim deed with the contract; or a seller may even provide sign a quit claim deed to be held in escrow until the Buyer makes the last payment. If the buyer defaults, the quitclaim deed can transfer the home back to the seller without breaking the contract, or upon the last payment being made by the Buyer, the deed can be filed.
- A quitclaim deed is NOT typically used to convey property out of a trust or out of a business entity such as an LLC or Corporation.
While the process might seem simple, mistakes in drafting or filing can lead to costly complications. Our attorneys will ensure everything is done right—the first time.
How Does a Quit Claim Deed Work in Missouri?
In Missouri, a quit claim deed is a simple way to transfer ownership interest in real estate from one person or entity to another, by the grantor giving up legal title in favor of the grantee. The process is straightforward—but it must be done properly to be effective and legally recognized.
Here’s how it typically works:
- The Grantor Transfers Interest
The person giving up their interest in the property (the “grantor”) signs a quit claim deed stating they are transferring whatever interest they hold, if any, to another person or entity (the “grantee”). This may be a spouse, former spouse, child, co-owner, family member, or anyone else. - The Deed Is Properly Drafted
Missouri requires specific legal language in the deed, including a valid legal description of the property—not just the street address. Mistakes here can invalidate the transfer or cause recording issues later. - The Deed Is Signed and Notarized
The grantor must sign the deed in front of a notary public. Some places (City of St. Louis, for example) also require the grantee to sign, depending on local rules or circumstances. - The Deed Is Filed with the Recorder of Deeds
To be effective, the deed must be recorded in the county where the property is located. Recording provides public notice of the transfer and is essential for protecting the new owner’s rights. - Additional Requirements
In some locations, a Certificate of Value or Real Property Certificate must be submitted along with the deed. If the transfer is exempt from sales or use tax (as many are), the proper exemption needs to be claimed.
Can I Prepare a Quit Claim Deed Myself?
Yes—but we don’t recommend it. Many people try to handle quit claim deeds on their own using online forms or generic templates. There can be many sorts of problems that occur in these situations. The most tame problems are that such documents may be rejected by the county recorder or challenged during a sale or refinance – i.e., problems that are discovered soon and can be fixed. Many times, the problems may be more problematic than that – problems that are discovered after the grantor has died or cannot be located, which are far greater problems.
In Missouri, a valid quit claim deed must meet specific legal requirements, including proper formatting, precise legal descriptions, notarization, and correct filing. If any part of the process is handled incorrectly, the deed may be void—or cause problems later.
Why You Should Consider Getting an Attorney for Your Quit Claim Deed?
Although there are downloadable forms and DIY options online, Missouri real estate law can be complex. A quit claim deed must be properly prepared, signed, notarized, and recorded to be effective. Using an attorney helps ensure that:
- The deed complies with Missouri state law
- The language is legally sound and specific to your situation
- It is correctly filed with the appropriate county recorder
- Mistakes and legal issues are avoided down the road
Avoid the Pitfalls of DIY Legal Fixes
Online templates and one-size-fits-all solutions can give the illusion that a legal matter has been resolved—until it becomes painfully clear that it hasn’t. Real estate law is too important to leave to guesswork.
We’ve seen what happens when people try to “do it themselves” and end up with documents that are incomplete, invalid, and ejected by the county – or worse, the county does not notice the problem, and it comes up many years later, when a person is trying to sell the property.. Let our experienced attorneys handle the details so you don’t have to worry later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a quit claim deed legally binding in Missouri?
Yes, when properly prepared, signed, and recorded with the county, a quit claim deed is fully enforceable.
Can I remove someone from the mortgage with a quit claim deed?
No. It only affects ownership—not responsibility for the loan. You’ll need to work with your lender separately to change the mortgage.
How long does it take?
Once we have the necessary information from you and have been hired, preparation time can be varied. If you need it right away and let us know, we can often accommodate you. We’ll take care of the details so you don’t have to.
Do I need to come into the office?
No. We serve clients in all Missouri counties by phone, email, and mail. If you prefer to meet in person, our Springfield office is open to you as well.
How much does it cost?
We offer quit claim deeds at a flat rate. No hourly billing. No surprises. To get a price quote up front, contact our office at 417-882-5858.
