Which type of legal description do courts prefer for its clarity?

Courts prefer the lot and block legal description for its clarity because it provides a straightforward reference to specific parcels of land within a recorded subdivision. This system relies on a subdivision plat, which is a map that illustrates where each lot resides in relation to streets and other lots. Once a plat has been filed, lot numbers and block numbers become easily understood by anyone looking to identify property boundaries, making it simple to locate and reference in legal contexts.

This clarity is particularly beneficial in urban and suburban settings where subdivisions are common, as it minimizes potential disputes and confusions about property lines. Lot and block descriptions are well-structured, allowing for efficient navigation through legal documents and facilitating easier transactions.

Other legal descriptions, such as metes and bounds, can sometimes be more complicated and less clear, as they describe property boundaries based on distance and directions from identifiable landmarks, which may vary in interpretation. The rectangular survey system provides a methodical approach, especially in rural areas, but may lack the specificity that lot and block descriptions offer in developed regions. Surveyor's descriptions usually necessitate expert interpretation and may not be as easily understood by the general public or involved parties.