If you are looking to buy a property or have doubts about one you currently own, getting a clear answer as to how the title stands could be a good idea. While some disputed titles may take a long time to resolve, often, something known as a quiet title action can clear things up more simply.
Quiet title actions are so-called because they seek to quiet any doubts about ownership and settle issues with people who are making a challenge or insist on talking about how they have rights to the property.
Times when it could help
Times when you could file a quiet title action include:
- If the house has recently been passed on as an inheritance, and there are concerns that other descendants have a claim on it.
- If the property shows up as having a lien, that you or someone else believes has already been lifted.
- When there are disputes over the fenceline or other boundary. These are particularly common when the property was originally set out before record-keeping was efficient and reliable.
The major advantage of quiet title actions is that they can usually be resolved fairly quickly, often within a month. That’s important when you are keen to buy the property or have someone keen to buy it from you, as the real estate market can move on quickly. This shortened duration will also be financially more efficient than something that drags out.
Learning more about how these real estate lawsuits work is a wise first step if you have doubts about the title that needs clarifying.