Occasionally and for any number of reasons, disputes arise over who owns a residential property in California.
If you find yourself involved in a dispute over residential property ownership, you should take legal action to protect your claim to the deed. A quiet title action is an effective legal tool that you can use to resolve a disagreement between parties and clarify the title.
What is a quiet title action?
A California quiet title action is a special legal proceeding that determines who the rightful owner of a piece of property is. Most people file quiet title actions for one of two reasons:
- Resolving a dispute over the title to a property
- Establishing clear title to a property
Why is it called “quiet”?
The goal of this type of proceeding is to “quiet”, or silence, objections to a clear title and remove potential claims on their property rights.
What are common reasons to file a quiet title action?
Since people file quiet title actions in order to clear ambiguous titles or resolve ownership disputes, the reasons for filing revolve around instances that bring ownership claims into question. Some common reasons to file a quiet title claim include:
- Mortgage disputes
- Foreclosed property sales
- Boundary dispute between neighbors
- Dispute over property easements
- Shared or confusing ownership of inherited property
What information must you have to file a quiet title action?
A successful quiet title action requires significant supporting documentation. You should provide a detailed description of the property, all relevant property records, and any other materials that support your claim to the title.
If you find yourself in a dispute over residential property, filing a quiet title action may solve any differences and establish a rightful title for the property.
