Property Ownership

Surface rights and mineral rights in Iowa can be:

ANever separated; they must always be held together
BSevered, allowing separate ownership of the surface estate and subsurface mineral rights✓ Correct
COnly held by the state government
DAutomatically extinguished after 50 years

Explanation

In Iowa, the surface estate and the mineral estate (subsurface rights to oil, gas, minerals, etc.) can be severed and held by different owners. Buyers of Iowa property should investigate whether mineral rights are included in the conveyance.

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