A quitclaim deed—also known as a quitclaim—is a deed that transfers whatever interest the grantor (purported owner) has in a piece of real property to the grantee (buyer)—but does not represent or warrant that the grantor’s title (ownership) is valid (that the grantor has any ownership interest in it) or free from liens or encumbrances.

A quitclaim deed only purports to convey the grantor’s present interest in the land (if any) and does not purport to convey the land itself. Thus, if the grantor were to acquire an interest in the land after executing (signing) a quitclaim deed, the grantor would retain that interest, as the grantor did not have it at the time the grantor executed the quitclaim deed.

In Maryland, a quitclaim deed is a legal instrument used to transfer a grantor's interest in a property to a grantee without any warranties of title. This means that the grantor does not guarantee that they hold a valid title or that the property is free from liens or other encumbrances. The quitclaim deed conveys only the interest that the grantor has at the time of the transfer, if any, and does not affect any interest the grantor may acquire in the future. It is important to note that quitclaim deeds are not commonly used in Maryland for real estate transactions, as warranty deeds are preferred due to the protection they offer to the grantee. Warranty deeds provide guarantees about the status of the property title, which quitclaim deeds do not. As with any legal document affecting real estate, it is advisable to consult with an attorney to understand the implications of using a quitclaim deed in Maryland.