Statements in Documents That Affect an Interest in Property: Which statement is correct?

• A. A statement contained in such a document is admissible if the matter stated was relevant to the document's purpose and no later dealings with the property are inconsistent with the truth of the statement.
• B. The statement is admissible only if the document is ancient.
• C. The statement is admissible only if the record is kept in a public office.
• D. The statement is admissible if it concerns market valuations.

Answer: (A)

Statements in documents that affect a property interest can be admitted to prove the matter stated when two things line up: the matter was relevant to why the document was created, and there have been no later dealings with the property that conflict with the truth of that statement. This reflects the idea that such instruments carry weight for what they were designed to record, provided subsequent actions haven’t contradicted what they state. It isn’t about ancient status, public-record rules, or market valuations; those are distinct evidentiary standards.