Which term describes the intentional transfer of an interest in property via a legal document?

The term that describes the intentional transfer of an interest in property via a legal document is "deed." A deed is a formal legal document that conveys property ownership from one party to another, establishing the transfer of rights in the property. It must be executed with proper legal formalities, including signatures, and often requires notarization to be enforceable.

In real estate transactions, a deed serves as the primary instrument through which ownership rights are transferred. It specifies the parties involved, a legal description of the property, and the nature of the interest being conveyed (for example, whether it is full ownership or a partial interest). This distinct legal characterization makes deeds essential in property law.

While a contract can represent an agreement between parties to engage in a transaction, it does not itself convey property rights; the deed must be executed to finalize that transfer. A lease, on the other hand, typically applies to the temporary use of property rather than an outright transfer of ownership, and title refers to the legal right to own or use a property, which is evidenced by a deed rather than being the document that performs the transfer. Thus, in the context of transferring an interest in property, the deed is the correct term.