What type of deed protects against defects occurring only during the grantor's ownership period?

The correct answer is the special warranty deed. This type of deed provides limited protection to the grantee, specifically covering any defects in the title that may have arisen only during the time that the grantor owned the property. In essence, the grantor guarantees that they have not caused any issues with the title during their ownership but does not warrant against any issues that may have existed prior to their acquisition of the property.

In contrast, a general warranty deed offers broader protection, as it guarantees that the grantor will defend against any claims or defects in the title, regardless of when those issues originated. A quitclaim deed provides no warranties at all; it simply transfers whatever interest the grantor may have in the property without making any guarantees about the title. The term "grantee deed" is not a standard term in real estate law and does not specifically refer to any recognized type of deed that provides title protections. Thus, the special warranty deed is the correct choice because it uniquely limits coverage to the grantor's period of ownership, making it suitable for certain transactions where less risk is acceptable.