Louisiana Court Upholds Property Sale Despite Mineral Rights Dispute

SHREVEPORT, La. — A property sale in which mineral rights were not included and not discussed is valid despite the purchasers’ allegations that the sellers hid the fact that the sale excluded mineral rights, a Louisiana appellate court has affirmed. Spillman v. Gasco Inc., No. 47,085-CA (La. Ct. App., 2nd Dist.).

Louisiana’s Second District Court of Appeal held May 16 that the public record doctrine applies and the purchasers are assumed to have been aware of publicly recorded deeds for the mineral rights in dispute.

George and Nancy Spillman alleged that they purchased a lot in a DeSoto Parish, La., …