Mineral Interests
The firm’s attorneys represent clients in all PA counties as to the marketability of oil, gas, coal, clay, limestone, and associated hydrocarbons. Legal services include the negotiation of lease terms, as to the impact (protection) of the surface, crops, timber and water. Bonus payments and royalty percentages that our attorneys negotiate add value to the land.
In addition to providing counsel to real estate brokerages, realtors, buyers and sellers as to the drafting of agreements of sale, we produce certified title opinions back 150 years for the determination on the ownership of subsurface interests, which can and have been used for permitting, financing and marketing of property. Our opinions which include legal recommendations as to business decisions and curative requirements are presented in custom full color, bound, unbound, on compact disc and electronic formats. Our full time staff of professionals spend over 2000 hours each month on behalf of clients involving the determination of ownership of subsurface interests.
The PA Association of Realtors Standard Agreement for the Sale of Real Estate now provides an oil, gas and mineral rights addendum addressing issues of examination, exception and/or reservation of oil and gas interests. Buyers have the option via this addendum to conduct due diligence as to the marketability of subsurface interests. We have developed special deed language for conveyances, exceptions and reservations of these interests and the impact on the surface owner for development.