Detailed Answer — first steps and why they matter

If you want to determine legal ownership of a portion of land that once belonged to your grandfather in Georgia, start with recorded public records. In Georgia, ownership is usually established by the chain of recorded deeds, probate records, and tax and survey records. Your initial, practical steps are:

1. Locate the county where the property sits.

   You must search records in the county (or counties) where the land is located. Georgia is a county-based recording system: deeds, plats, mortgages, and liens are recorded at the county level. If you don’t know the county, try property tax records, old correspondence, or family documents that mention nearby towns, roads, or tax parcel numbers. For help locating county offices, use the Georgia county-government portal: https://georgia.gov/county-government.

2. Search the county’s recorded deed and land records.

   Visit (or contact) the Clerk of Superior Court or the Register of Deeds (titles vary by county) and request a title/deed search for the parcel. Look for:

   • Deeds transferring the property from your grandfather to anyone else.
   • Wills and probate transfers if your grandfather’s estate went through probate.
   • Maps, plats, and surveys that define parcel boundaries.

   Many counties provide online search tools; others require an in-person or written request. If the county has an online portal, you can often search by owner name, address, or parcel ID.

3. Check probate and estate records.

   If your grandfather died owning the land, the legal title might have passed through probate. Search the probate records in the same county for estate files, wills, or letters of administration that identify heirs and property distributions.

4. Review property tax records.

   County tax assessor offices keep ownership and parcel data used for property tax billing. These records typically list the current assessed owner and a parcel number you can use to trace deeds and maps.

5. Look for surveys, plats, and boundary descriptions.

   A legal description in a deed or plat defines the precise portion involved. If the boundary is unclear, a licensed Georgia surveyor can locate monuments and create a current survey showing the disputed portion.

6. Watch for competing claims and encumbrances.

   Search for mortgages, liens, easements, or recorded notices that may affect ownership or rights to use the land. These are also recorded at the county level.

7. When records aren’t clear: consider quiet-title or legal help.

   If the recorded chain of title is broken, vague, or contested, you may need a quiet-title action or other litigation to establish legal ownership. An attorney can help identify the correct legal remedy for Georgia law and prepare the necessary pleadings.

Useful government resources:

• Georgia county government portal (for finding county recorder/tax offices): https://georgia.gov/county-government
• Resources for Georgia courts and basic records information: https://georgiacourts.gov/
• General access to the Official Code of Georgia (for researching statutes and procedures): https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/ocga

Why start with recorded records? Georgia’s land title system relies on public recording to provide notice of ownership and encumbrances. Tracking the recorded chain of title and associated probate or tax records will reveal who is currently recorded as the owner and whether any legal steps are necessary to correct or clarify title.

When a survey and an attorney are the next step

If deeds use metes and bounds, or if older records use vague descriptions (e.g., adjoiner references like “to the creek”), a licensed surveyor will locate boundaries and produce a modern legal description and map. If you find competing ownership claims, adverse possession indicators (someone exercising exclusive use for many years), missing heirs, or unclear probate transfers, consult a Georgia real property attorney. An attorney can:

• Order or review a title search and survey;
• Advise whether a quiet-title action, partition action, or probate proceeding is appropriate;
• Prepare and file necessary pleadings and handle negotiations or litigation under Georgia law.

Helpful Hints

• Start with any family papers: old deeds, mortgage statements, tax bills, or maps often list parcel numbers or legal descriptions that speed searches.
• Use the county tax assessor’s online portal to find the parcel ID; this number helps identify recorded deeds and plats quickly.
• Call the county clerk’s office before you visit: many counties require appointments or charge small fees for copies and searches.
• If the property spans multiple parcels, search each parcel’s records separately.
• Keep organized notes and copies of each document and chain link (grantor/grantee index entries). A clear chain of title is the backbone of proving ownership.
• Consider ordering an abstract of title or title insurance if you plan to buy, sell, or finance the property; a licensed title company can perform a thorough search and identify gaps.
• If you find no recorded transfer after your grandfather’s death, the property may have passed by intestacy or will—check probate records in the relevant county.

How an attorney can help under Georgia law

An attorney experienced with Georgia real property and probate can:

• Confirm whether recorded documents establish current legal ownership;
• File quiet-title suits or probate petitions to clear defects;
• Represent you in partition actions if multiple heirs own the land and cannot agree;
• Coordinate surveys, title searches, and negotiations for boundary or easement disputes.