Which covenant promises the grantor will defend the grantee's title against all pre-transfer claims?

• A. Covenant of seizin
• B. Covenant of encumbrances
• C. Covenant of further assurance
• D. Covenant of warranty forever

Answer: (C)

Defending the grantee’s title against all pre-transfer claims is provided by the warranty covenant. This promise obligates the grantor to defend the grantee against any claims that title is defective and to compensate the grantee for losses if a defect arises from the time of transfer or earlier. It’s the covenants in a general warranty deed that cover the broad protection of title, including defense against those pre-existing challenges. The covenant of further assurance, by contrast, is about the grantor taking future steps to perfect the title—signing any needed documents and doing whatever is necessary to cure defects—rather than proactively defending against claims. So the warranty covenant is the one that ensures defense against pre-transfer claims.