Which of the following is not essential for the validity of a deed?

For a deed to be valid, several elements must be present, but the payment of financial consideration is not one of those essential elements.

A deed must typically include delivery, which signifies that the grantor intends to transfer the property and that the grantee accepts it. The legal description is critical as it identifies the property being transferred with precision, ensuring clarity about what is being conveyed. The signature of the grantor is also necessary as it confirms the grantor's intent to transfer the property and acknowledges their consent to the deed.

Payment of financial consideration, while common in real estate transactions, is not required for the deed's validity. A deed can be valid even if the transfer is a gift or if no payment is exchanged, as long as the other essential elements—delivery, legal description, and signature—are present. This understanding reflects the principle that the validity of the deed is fundamentally tied to the intention and formalities of the transfer rather than the financial arrangement.