Which of the following deeds provides the least protection to the grantee?

The correct answer is the quitclaim deed, as it provides the least protection to the grantee. A quitclaim deed transfers whatever interest the grantor has in the property without making any guarantees about the title's validity. This means that if the grantor has no ownership or the title has defects, the grantee receives no compensation or remedy.

In contrast, a general warranty deed offers comprehensive protection by guaranteeing that the grantor holds clear title to the property and will defend against any claims arising from prior owners. A special warranty deed, while still offering some protections, only covers the time the grantor owned the property and does not guarantee against issues that may have arisen before their ownership. A deed of correction is typically used to correct mistakes in a previously executed deed, offering some security but is not as common for general property transfers as the other types of deeds.

Overall, the quitclaim deed's lack of warranties or assurances means the grantee assumes the full risk, making it the deed that provides the least protection.