What does "title by deed" refer to in property law?

"Title by deed" specifically refers to the legal transfer of ownership of property that occurs through the execution and delivery of a deed. A deed is a formal document that describes the property and outlines the details of the transfer, including the parties involved. The process of executing and delivering a deed typically requires certain legal formalities to ensure that the transfer is valid and enforceable. This can include the requirement of signatures, witnessing, and sometimes notarization, depending on the jurisdiction.

In contrast, the other choices do not accurately represent the concept of title by deed. A verbal agreement does not create a legally enforceable title transfer, as property transfers generally require written documentation. Title transferred by a will pertains to testamentary transfer, which is a different mechanism from that of a deed. Lastly, ownership based on longstanding possession relates to the concept of adverse possession, which is based on continuous, open, and hostile use of property but does not involve a formal deed transfer. Thus, the focus on the formal process involving a deed correctly identifies how legal ownership is conveyed in property law.