Anticipating the death of her mother, a terminally ill widow, the widow’s only child represented himself as owner of the widow’s residence to a couple. The couple paid $200,000 for the residence and promptly recorded their warranty deed. The mother died one week later, and the residence passed to the son by her will. The son then moved into the residence and offered to return the $200,000 to the couple. The recording act provides: 'No conveyance shall be good against subsequent purchasers for value without notice, who shall first record.' Under estoppel by deed, which statement is correct?

• A. Ademption applies because the testator no longer owns the property.
• B. The couple has no protection because the mother's ownership was recorded.
• C. The shelter rule protects the couple because the grantor was protected by the recording act.
• D. Under estoppel by deed, the couple are entitled to the conveyance automatically.

Answer: (C)