Quiet Title Definition and Legal Meaning

On this page, you'll find the legal definition and meaning of Quiet Title, written in plain English, along with examples of how it is used.

What is Quiet Title?

History and Meaning of Quiet Title

Quiet title is a legal term that refers to a legal action to remove any claims, disputes or uncertainties over the ownership of a property. The purpose of a quiet title action is to determine the rightful owner of a property and to essentially "quiet" any competing claims. The origin of quiet title laws can be traced back to English common law, as a means to resolve questions of title ownership.

Examples of Quiet Title

1. Sarah inherited a property from her grandfather but there were questions about whether all heirs were properly notified. She filed a quiet title action to clear any uncertainties over her ownership of the property.

2. John and his ex-wife owned a property jointly but after the divorce, she refused to cooperate in transferring the property to him. He filed a quiet title action to establish his sole ownership of the property.

3. A property owner discovered that there was a lien on their property that was thought to have been paid off years ago. They filed a quiet title action to remove the lien and establish their clear ownership of the property.

Legal Terms Similar to Quiet Title

1. Lis Pendens - is a notice filed in public records alerting potential purchasers or creditors that there is a lawsuit pending affecting a property.
2. Adverse Possession- is a legal principle that allows a person to claim ownership of a property they have used and occupied for a certain period of time, without the permission of the legal owner.
3. Title Search - is a process of examining public records to determine the ownership and status of a property's title.