We were almost at 90 banking days and we get the email "unfortunatley, we have discovered that your mineral rights are owned by Consolidated Coal".  

We are assuming this is from 30+ years ago when the mining took place in our area.  I understand there is the Ohio law about abandoned rights, that we can look into.  Yes, our acreage amount is small, but i need answers.

Here are the red flags-

• when we bought our land, mineral rights were never discussed, we didn't know and no one brought it to our attention to inquire about it. our deed states nothing about the previous owner retaining the rights.
• when we signed with hilcorp, which was the only company in the past year to approach us, our landman suddenly retired a few weeks after we signed. he didnt give us a notice or a contact person. we had to call headquarters and get a random name and person in the SE ohio region who would only respond to emails after we expressed our disgust with the company
• after getting the news that we didnt have mineral rights, I began researching the previous owner on landaccess.  Our parcel id is on a 2008 lease (we purchased the land in 2007) that the previous owner signed with cavalier energy.  
• when we contacted the company that did the title search, we were told that attempting to obtain our mineral rights from Consolidated Coal would be a "process"

At this point, its not about getting money.  Of course that would be very nice, but who has my mineral rights?? How long has consolidated coal had our rights? How did the previous owner lease our land if he didnt have the rights?  and if a lease was recorded in 2008, why would hilcorp even approach us?

Is this worth paying astronomical lawyer fees even if we don't get a dime out of it?? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!