What is the purpose of a suit to quiet title?

The purpose of a suit to quiet title is to eliminate a cloud on a title or to establish ownership of a property. This legal action is taken to resolve disputes about the rightful ownership of a property, which may arise from various claims or interests that could affect the clear title of the property. A cloud on the title can result from unpaid liens, conflicts with recorded easements, claims from heirs, or other competing claims to ownership that can complicate the transaction of selling or financing real estate.

By filing a suit to quiet title, a property owner seeks to obtain a court order that resolves these conflicting claims, thereby clarifying and confirming their legal ownership of the property. Once the court issues a judgment in favor of the property owner, the title becomes clear, allowing them to freely use, sell, or engage in any transactions involving the property without fear of legal disputes from others claiming an interest.

Other options focus on aspects that are not directly related to the primary function of a quiet title action, such as valuing the property, dealing with property tax disputes, or adjusting property lines, which pertain to other legal proceedings rather than the objective of establishing a clear ownership title.