Can two fractional legal descriptions have equal acreage but identify different land?

Question

In a standard section, compare the northeast quarter of the southwest quarter with the southwest quarter of the northeast quarter. Both calculations give 40 acres. Does that make them the same parcel?

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Administrator · Answer

*Equal acreage does not mean the same parcel.* In the first description, find the section's southwest quarter and then its northeast quarter. In the second, find the section's northeast quarter and then its southwest quarter. The two parcels occupy different parts of the section. Both hypothetical calculations are 640 x 1/4 x 1/4 = 40 acres. Multiplication gives the area; the directional words identify where that area sits. Circle the outer quarter before drawing the next subdivision. BLM's description guide [1] explains the subdivision order. Work through the acreage worksheet [2] for a second example, or review the three legal-description methods [3] . These abbreviated examples are study exercises, not complete descriptions for a deed. [1] https://or.blm.gov/or/landrecords/legaldescrip.php [2] https://63hours.com/blog/florida-real-estate-guides-1/legal-description-acreage-math-practice-81 [3] /blog/florida-real-estate-guides-1/florida-legal-descriptions-study-guide-43

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