What type of deed guarantees the title only against defects arising during the period of the grantor's ownership?

A special warranty deed specifically provides a guarantee of title only for defects that may have arisen during the time the grantor owned the property. This means that the grantor is assuring the grantee that they have not caused any issues with the title during their ownership but does not take responsibility for any pre-existing defects or claims that may have been present before they acquired the property.

This type of deed is often used in commercial transactions or foreclosures, where the grantor may not have full knowledge of the property’s history. The limited nature of the warranty makes it distinct from a general warranty deed, which offers broader protections against both past and present defects.

In the case of a quitclaim deed, there are no warranties provided regarding the title; the grantor simply transfers whatever interest they may have without making any promises about its validity. An absolute deed usually conveys title without any conditions or limitations but does not specifically address title defects as clearly as a special warranty deed does. Therefore, the special warranty deed properly reflects the limited assurances provided by the grantor regarding the title during their period of ownership.