Legal Definitions - directory call

A directory call, in the context of property law, refers to a general statement within a land description that indicates the broader area or vicinity where specific boundary markers or more detailed descriptions of a property can be found. It acts as a preliminary guide, pointing to a general location rather than providing precise measurements or exact points. Its purpose is to help narrow down the search for the more exact "calls" (such as specific distances, bearings, or physical monuments) that define the property's precise boundaries.

• Example 1: Rural Land Description

  Imagine a deed for a large, undeveloped rural tract of land. The legal description might include a directory call stating: "The property is generally located within the 'Whispering Pines' region of Lincoln County."

  Explanation: This statement doesn't give exact coordinates or precise boundary lines, but it directs anyone reading the deed to a well-known geographical area within the county. Within this region, more specific "calls" (like "starting at the large granite boulder, thence North 30 degrees East for 500 feet...") would then precisely define the property's corners and lines. The directory call serves as an initial pointer to the general vicinity.

• Example 2: Subdivision Context

  Consider a legal description for a specific lot within a large residential development. A directory call might read: "The parcel is situated within the 'Riverbend Meadows Subdivision,' specifically in the area bordering the old oak grove."

  Explanation: Before listing the specific lot number or detailed metes and bounds, this directory call guides the reader to a particular section of the larger subdivision. This makes it easier to locate the more precise description of the individual lot, narrowing down the search from the entire development to a specific part of it.

• Example 3: Property Near a Major Feature

  For a commercial property, a deed might contain a directory call such as: "The land is generally found 'on the western side of the old railroad tracks, south of the Miller's Creek bridge'."

  Explanation: This statement provides a broad geographical context using prominent local features. It helps to orient the reader to the general vicinity where the detailed metes and bounds description (e.g., "beginning at a point 200 feet south of the bridge's western abutment...") would then precisely outline the property's boundaries. The directory call sets the stage for the more exact measurements.