A quiet title action—also known as a trespass to try title action—is a lawsuit against a party who claims an interest in a piece of real property (land). In a quiet title action, the plaintiff seeks to establish the plaintiff’s title (ownership interest) in the land by forcing the adverse claimant (the defendant) to establish or prove an interest in the land or be forever estopped (precluded) from asserting an interest in the land.

The resolution of such a lawsuit is designed to settle or quiet a disputed claim to title or ownership of the land.

Laws regarding quiet title actions may vary from state to state and may be located in a state’s statutes or in its court opinions (common law or case law). The terms used for such a claim may also vary and in some states there may be a distinction between a quiet title claim and a trespass to try title claim—or a quiet title claim may be treated as an informal reference to a trespass to try title claim.

In Washington State, a quiet title action is a legal proceeding used to resolve disputes over the ownership of real property. This type of lawsuit allows an individual or entity to establish their title against competing claims or interests. The plaintiff in a quiet title action seeks a court judgment confirming their ownership and eliminating any challenges or claims to the property by others. The defendant in the case is typically a party who has asserted some claim to the property, and through the action, they are required to prove their interest or be barred from asserting it in the future. Washington's laws governing quiet title actions can be found in the Revised Code of Washington (RCW), and the process is also shaped by state case law. It is important for individuals involved in a quiet title action to consult with an attorney to navigate the specific legal requirements and procedures in Washington.