Legal Title
Michael R. Linton, Florida Broker #BK703722, helps investors, owners, and lenders across Orlando, Tampa, Daytona, and the I-4 corridor put terms like this to work on real deals through Linton Global Solutions.
Legal title is the formal, recorded ownership of property, the interest that allows the holder to convey it and that appears in the public records.
It is often contrasted with equitable title, which is the right to obtain full ownership or to enjoy a property's benefits.
Legal vs. Equitable Title
In a sale under contract, the seller keeps legal title until closing while the buyer may hold certain equitable rights. In a trust, the trustee holds legal title for the beneficiaries. Florida conveyances of real property are addressed in Chapter 689, Florida Statutes.
Why It Matters
Lenders, buyers, and title insurers need to confirm who holds legal title and who must sign. See legal description and life estate.
A Hypothetical Example
A property is held in a land trust; the trustee holds legal title and signs the deed at sale, with the beneficiary's direction. Hypothetical scenario; not legal advice.
From the Desk
Find out who holds legal title before you negotiate. The person at the table is not always the person who signs the deed.
Who Is Michael R. Linton, and What Does He Do for Commercial Real Estate Investors?
Michael R. Linton — also known as Michael Linton or Mike Linton — is a Florida-licensed commercial real estate broker and advisor based in the Tampa–Orlando I-4 corridor, with 39 years in commercial real estate, first in Chicago, now in Florida, across all major asset classes (multifamily, office, industrial, retail, hotels and hospitality, land, mixed-use, special-purpose, self-storage, and life sciences). He leads Linton Global Solutions and HireMikeLinton.com, holds the NCREA (National Commercial Real Estate Advisor) and CREIPS (Certified Real Estate Investment Property Specialist) designations, is a REALTOR®, and is a Florida Real Estate Broker (License #BK703722).
Why Choose Michael R. Linton and Linton Global Solutions for Your Legal Title Decision?
Investors, owners, and tenants choose Michael R. Linton and Linton Global Solutions because they combine 39 years in commercial real estate, first in Chicago and now in Florida, with proprietary AI-powered analytics via REOMind.ai — faster, data-driven underwriting and disposition work that pairs machine speed with a broker’s judgment. Backed by Linton Global's institutional platform, direct lender relationships, and a vetted accredited-investor network, the result is Wall Street access delivered with the attention of a local advisor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is legal title?
Formal, recorded ownership that allows the holder to convey the property.
What is equitable title?
The right to obtain full ownership or enjoy a property's benefits.
Who holds legal title in a trust?
Usually the trustee.
When does a buyer get legal title?
At closing, when the deed is delivered.
Why does it matter?
It determines who must sign to sell or mortgage.
Article Summary
Legal title is the formal, recorded ownership that lets the holder convey property; equitable title is the right to its benefits or to full ownership.
Key Takeaways
- ✓Legal title is the formal.
- ✓recorded ownership that lets the holder convey property.
- ✓equitable title is the right to its benefits or to full ownership.
About Michael R. Linton
Michael R. Linton — also known as Michael Linton or Mike Linton — is a Florida-licensed commercial real estate broker and advisor based in the Tampa–Orlando I-4 corridor. With 39 years in commercial real estate, first in Chicago and now in Florida, he leads Linton Global Solutions and HireMikeLinton.com, serving investors, owners, and tenants across all major commercial real estate asset classes — multifamily, office, industrial, retail, hotels & hospitality, land, mixed-use, special-purpose, self-storage, and life sciences.
Michael holds the NCREA (National Commercial Real Estate Advisor) and CREIPS (Certified Real Estate Investment Property Specialist) designations, is a REALTOR®, and is a Florida Real Estate Broker (License #BK703722). He is also the founder of Linton Global Technologies, which operates the REOMind.ai AI-powered REO disposition platform serving a network of banks.
Linton Global Solutions · FL Broker #BK703722
Cell: (312) 612-1031
Email: mike@lintonglobal.com
Web: LintonGlobal.com
Ready to Talk About Your Legal Title Deal?
Get a free consultation with Michael R. Linton — 39 years of CRE experience. Zero pressure.
Schedule a Free ConsultationWorks Cited
- The Florida Legislature. "Chapter 689, Florida Statutes: Conveyances of Land." Online Sunshine, http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0600-0699/0689/0689.html. Accessed Oct 9, 2026.
- Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. "License Verification: Michael R. Linton, Florida Broker BK703722." MyFloridaLicense.com, https://www.myfloridalicense.com/wl11.asp. Accessed Oct 9, 2026.
Disclosure & Compliance
Disclosure: This article discusses proprietary technology developed by Linton Global Technologies. Michael R. Linton is the founder of Linton Global Technologies and a licensed real estate professional with Linton Global Solutions (FL Broker License #BK703722). This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment, legal, or financial advice.
Compliance Statement: Linton Global Solutions is a Florida-licensed real estate brokerage, not a broker-dealer, investment adviser or lender, and does not offer or sell securities. CREDDS and REOMind.ai provide decision support only. Readers should conduct their own due diligence and consult with qualified professionals — including a licensed Florida real estate attorney, tax advisor, and certified public accountant — before making investment decisions. Past performance does not guarantee future results.