I purchased some land in WV 2 years ago. The lawyer who handled the deed was recommended by Century 21 rep. I was told that the mineral rights were sold off long ago.
I have since been contacted by 2 different surveying companies and a power company that say I may own the rights.
The following sentence is written into the deed, at the end:
"There is excepted and reserved from this conveyance all coal and mining rights which have previously been excepted and reserved by predecessors in title."
Does this statement mean I gave up my rights when I signed the deed?
Is there any way that I would be able to find out if I do own the Rights?
Why would my representing lawyer put this in?

