STANDARD NO. 505

 

 

 

PROBLEM:

 

                When may an examiner certify title (which is otherwise marketable) where a portion of the locus adjoining tidewater lies seaward of the low water mark as that term is used to define the line between private ownership and that of the State of Maine?

 

RCOMMENDATION:

 

                An examiner may certify title when:

 

A.                  There is a deed from the State of Maine; or

 

B.                   There is confirmation of ownership from the Bureau of Parks and Lands pursuant to 12 M.R.S.A. § 1865 (Title 12, Section 559 was repealed and replaced June 30, 1998); or

 

C.                   There is an affidavit or other evidence that title vested in the claimant or his predecessors in interest (by virtue of M.R.S.A. Title 12, Section 559 was repealed and replaced June 30, 1998 by 12 M.R.S.A. § 1865).

 

DISCUSSION:

 

                Title below the low water mark rests in the State of Maine unless the property is affected by the operation of 12 M.R.S.A. § 1865 (Title 12, Section 559 was repealed and replaced June 30, 1998). See, Opinion of the Justices, 437 A.2d 597 (Me. 1981). Although receipt of confirmation of ownership is not dispositive of the issue of title, good practice suggests following the statutory procedure. Failure to obtain confirmation places a substantial burden on the examining attorney to establish marketable title by affidavit or other evidence.

 

QUERY:

 

                Does a confirmation of ownership received from the Bureau of Parks and Lands operate as an estoppel against the State of Maine?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First adopted June 19, 1975; amended December 7, 1983 and September 20, 2006.  Formerly Title Standard No. 61.

 

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