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title legal definition

noun

Ownership; the legal right to possess and to dispose of property. See also ownership, possession, tenancy.
Legal evidence of a personÂ’s right of ownership of property; a deed or similar instrument that evidences ownership.

adverse title

A title that has been acquired as a result of adverse possession.

bad title

A title that cannot legally convey the applicable property to a new owner, usually because of one or more conflicting claims to that property. An unmarketable title is not necessarily a bad title, but a bad title is always an unmarketable one.

clear title

A title that is free from any burdens, such as encumbrances or other limitations.
A marketable title. See marketable title.

defective title

See bad title.

equitable title

A title indicating that its holder has a favorable interest in the property and entitles its holder to acquire formal title to it.

good title

A title that is legally in effect and is valid. See also clear title and marketable title.

marketable title

A title that would be acceptable to a reasonable buyer, in that it appears to cover all the property that the seller is offering and it lacks any defect or limitation.

paramount title

A title that supersedes any and all other titles or claims against the same property. It signifies immediate right to possession and may be the basis for eviction of a tenant.