Detailed answer: How to begin confirming legal ownership of a portion of land in Maine

This guide explains the single best first step and the immediate follow-up actions to determine who legally owns a portion of land that belonged to your grandfather under Maine law. It assumes you start with little or no legal knowledge.

Step 1 — Start with the county Register of Deeds (search recorded land records)

The most important first move is to search the recorded land records at the Register of Deeds for the county where the land sits. Deeds, mortgages, easements, releases, and many other documents that affect title are recorded there. A recorded deed shows who conveyed property to whom and when, and it begins the public “chain of title” you will follow backward (and forward) to see every transfer.

Why this is first: recording creates public notice of transfers and encumbrances. Finding the deed that transferred the subject portion to your grandfather (or the deed that later transferred it away) will tell you who currently claims ownership on paper, whether the property passed through a will or probate, and whether there are recorded liens, easements, or other interests that affect ownership.

Where and how to search:

Locate the correct county Register of Deeds office for the town or city where the land lies. Many Registers provide online searchable databases; others require an in-person visit. If you don’t know the county, start with the town or city assessor’s office or municipal tax maps to find the parcel and the county.
Search by the grandfather’s name (grantor/grantee search), by parcel/lot number, or by street address. If you don’t find a deed, expand the search by year ranges or alternate name spellings.
Get certified copies of key documents: the deed to your grandfather, any deed showing conveyance after his ownership, recorded wills or conveyances from his estate, recorded mortgages, and any easement or subdivision plats.

Helpful Maine law resource: Maine Revised Statutes, Title 33 (Property). This Title covers recording and other property matters; see Maine’s statutes at https://legislature.maine.gov/statutes/33.

Common follow-up actions after the Register of Deeds search

Check probate records. If your grandfather died owning the property, the property may have passed through probate. Look for a probate file or letters testamentary in the county Probate Court for evidence how title transferred. Maine Courts Probate information: https://www.courts.maine.gov/court-info/courts/probate/.
Check municipal tax and GIS records. The town/city assessor can confirm who is listed as the current owner for tax purposes and provide parcel maps to help identify the exact portion at issue.
Look for encumbrances and instruments that affect rights. Mortgages, liens, easements, covenants, subdivision plans, and court judgments may all be recorded and can change who has use or value in the land, even if they don’t change fee ownership.
Consider a boundary survey. If the dispute concerns a physical portion of land (where lines on the ground don’t match documents), a licensed land surveyor can produce a current survey and compare it to recorded plats and deed descriptions.

When the records are unclear or show conflicting information

Common complications include unclear chains of title, missing or incorrectly recorded deeds, transfers by will or trust not reflected in deed records, life estates, or claims based on long use (adverse possession). If records conflict or you cannot determine clear ownership from public records, the usual next step is to hire a Maine real estate attorney or a title company to perform a professional title search and advise whether a legal action (for example, a quiet title action) is appropriate.

How a Maine attorney or title company can help

Perform a complete chain-of-title search.
Interpret complex instruments (wills, trusts, partial interests, life estates).
Locate missing or improperly recorded documents and obtain certified copies.
Advise whether a quiet title suit, boundary action, or probate action is necessary and represent you.

Short checklist — Documents and info to bring to the Register of Deeds or an attorney

Full name of your grandfather and any other known prior owners.
Description or address of the property (parcel/lot number, if known).
Any deeds, wills, probate case numbers, or prior correspondence you already have.
Approximate dates of death or transfers (even an estimated year helps).

Helpful Hints

Search the county where the land is located; Registers of Deeds are county-level in Maine.
Start with online county record searches if available—many counties let you view recorded deeds and maps online.
Ask the municipal assessor for the parcel ID and a property card; that speeds searches at the Register of Deeds.
Don’t rely solely on tax records for ownership—tax records often lag and do not show all legal interests.
If a deed is recorded in someone else’s name after your grandfather, get a certified copy of that deed and any supporting probate documents.
Keep copies of every recorded document you find and create a simple timeline of transfers to visualize the chain of title.
If the matter involves a boundary dispute or “who actually uses this part of the land,” get a licensed surveyor to mark and map the parcel.
When in doubt about legal remedies (quiet title, probate petition, reformation of instruments), consult a Maine real estate attorney early to preserve rights and deadlines.

Important disclaimer: This information is educational and is not legal advice. It does not create an attorney-client relationship. For advice about a specific situation, contact a licensed Maine attorney who handles real estate and probate matters.