Property Ownership
When Montana public land is transferred to private ownership through a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land patent, the new owner receives:
AA leasehold interest
BFee simple title with certain reserved federal mineral rights✓ Correct
COnly surface rights without any mineral rights
DA life estate in the property
Explanation
BLM land patents typically convey fee simple title to surface rights, but the federal government often reserves subsurface mineral rights. New owners must understand what rights are conveyed and what federal reservations exist on former public lands in Montana.
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Key Terms to Know
Fee Simple
The highest and most complete form of property ownership — absolute ownership with the right to use, sell, or pass the property to heirs.
Life EstateA freehold interest in real property that lasts only for the duration of a specified person's life.
Chain of TitleThe sequential record of all transfers of ownership for a piece of property from the original patent holder to the present owner.
Joint TenancyCo-ownership where two or more people hold equal, undivided interests with the right of survivorship — when one owner dies, their share passes to the surviving owners.
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