What is a deed and what are its essential elements?

A deed is a written legal document that transfers ownership of real property from a grantor to a grantee. Essential elements include a competent grantor of legal age and sound mind, an identifiable grantee, consideration stated or implied, words of conveyance such as "grant and convey," a legal description of the property, the grantor's signature, and delivery and acceptance. A deed must be in writing to satisfy the statute of frauds. The grantee does not need to sign the deed.