When a title to a property is lost but the boundaries remain the same, what is this process called?

The process where a title to a property is lost while the boundaries remain the same is referred to as alienation. Alienation is a legal term used to describe the transfer of ownership or title of property from one party to another. This could occur voluntarily, such as through sale or gifting, or involuntarily, such as through foreclosure or other legal means.

When the title is lost but the boundaries of the property are unchanged, it signifies that the physical property still exists as it did previously, but the ownership rights may have shifted or been rendered unclear due to various factors, which may include failure to follow legal formalities or disputes regarding the title.

In contrast, the other terms describe different processes:

• Acceleration refers to a provision in a loan agreement allowing a lender to call the total amount due before the scheduled maturity if certain conditions are met.

• Accretion is the natural process of gradual addition of land through the accumulation of sediment or soil, expanding property boundaries.

• Avulsion relates to a sudden and noticeable shift in land formations, such as during floods or earthquakes, where boundaries can change dramatically and instantaneously.

In this context, recognizing and understanding alienation is crucial for comprehending property law and ownership rights.