In California, a Quiet Title Action is typically used as an action by an owner of real property to confirm their title to the property, and at times, to refute another person’s claims to title to or liens against the property.
Typically you see quiet title actions when one party wants to confirm their title to the property over title that may be asserted by another person. But those title disputes are not the only instances where quiet title actions can be useful. In addition to confirming your title to the property, a quiet title action can also be used to confirm liens against the property, to confirm the priority of liens against the property, or to eliminate clouds on title.
Clouds on title can include liens that do not belong there, liens for loans that have been paid off but the lien remains, easements that have been terminated, just to name a few.
Ultimately a plaintiff’s objective in a quiet title action is to make his or her title to the property marketable, so there will be no claims or liens on or against the title that will interfere with their ability to sell the property or to borrow against the property.
I regularly represent clients in Oakland, California, Walnut Creek California, and the East Bay in quiet title actions. If you have questions, or need representation by a California real estate attorney involving quiet title claims, title disputes, clouds on title, or establishing marketable title to property, please feel free to contact me to discuss your case or to arrange for a consultation at (510) 465-0025 or (925) 708-3306.