Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a quit claim deed?

A quitclaim deed is a legal instrument used to transfer an interest in real property. The defining feature of this type of deed is that it conveys whatever interest the grantor has in the property, without any guarantees regarding the nature of that interest. It does not provide assurances about the quality of the title or confirm that it is free from encumbrances, which is why it does not guarantee a clear title.

In fact, a quitclaim deed is often used to clear up titles and rectify ownership issues, as it can remove claims or "clouds" from the title, particularly among family members or in cases of divorce. However, it is important to understand that while it may remove certain claims, it does not ensure that there are no outstanding issues or defects associated with the title itself.

The characteristic of not warranting anything is intrinsic to a quitclaim deed; since it simply conveys the grantor’s current interest without promises, it further distinguishes it from warranty deeds that do provide such assurances. Thus, the correct understanding of a quitclaim deed highlights its lack of guarantees about the title's status or clarity, making it clear that it does not guarantee a clear title.