Which method can cure defects in title that cannot be resolved by a quitclaim deed?

A suit to quiet title is the method that can cure defects in title that cannot be resolved by a quitclaim deed. When there are questions or challenges concerning the ownership of a property—such as competing claims, ambiguities, or unknown heirs—a suit to quiet title is a legal proceeding initiated to establish clear title and resolve these uncertainties definitively. This process involves asking the court to eliminate any claims against the property, confirming the rightful ownership.

In contrast, a quitclaim deed only transfers whatever interest the grantor has in the property and does not guarantee that the title is free from defects. While recording and title insurance are also related to addressing title issues, they serve different purposes. Recording simply creates a public record of the ownership but does not inherently resolve disputes. Title insurance provides protection against losses from potential defects but does not fix the underlying issues. An abstract, meanwhile, summarizes the title history but does not resolve disputes itself. Thus, a suit to quiet title is the most effective means of curing defects in title that cannot simply be addressed by other methods.