A quiet title action is a judicial proceeding used to litigate multiple claims to a piece of real estate or personal property. This can be due to a dispute over title to the property or an error showing in the title records. To resolve this issue, a lawsuit is filed in the County where the property is located. In some cases, there may also be allegations of wrongdoing that led to the error. This is very common in elder financial abuse cases where senior citizens are tricked into signing deeds, unknowingly giving away an interest in their property.
California Code, Code of Civil Procedure – CCP § 760.020
(a) An action may be brought under this chapter to establish title against adverse claims to real or personal property or any interest therein.
(b) An action may be brought under this chapter by parties to an agreement entered into pursuant to Section 6307 or 6357 of the Public Resources Code to confirm the validity of the agreement.
(c) Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the right of members of the public to bring or participate in actions challenging the validity of agreements entered into pursuant to Section 6307 or 6357 of the Public Resources Code.
California Code, Code of Civil Procedure – CCP § 760.040
(a) The superior court has jurisdiction of actions under this chapter.
(b) The court has complete jurisdiction over the parties to the action and the property described in the complaint and is deemed to have obtained possession and control of the property for the purposes of the action with complete jurisdiction to render the judgment provided for in this chapter.
(c) Nothing in this chapter limits any authority the court may have to grant such equitable relief as may be proper under the circumstances of the case.