What characteristic must the grantor possess when executing a deed?

The characteristic that the grantor must possess when executing a deed is competency. Competence refers to the grantor's mental capacity and ability to understand the nature and effects of the transaction in which they are engaging. This is crucial because a deed represents the legal transfer of property ownership, and if the grantor is not competent, the validity of the deed could be challenged in court.

To be deemed competent, the grantor must typically be of legal age and mentally sound, meaning they must understand what it means to sign the deed and the consequences of transferring property. This ensures that the grantor is voluntarily and knowingly entering into the legal agreement to convey their property.

The other options—attorney-in-fact, beneficiary, and executor—do not align with the primary requirement for executing a deed. An attorney-in-fact can act on behalf of another person but does not necessarily pertain to the competency of the grantor. A beneficiary is someone who receives benefits from a deed or trust but does not execute the deed itself. Similarly, an executor is typically associated with the administration of a will and not directly relevant to the deed execution by a competent grantor.