Involuntary alienation
National Real Estate Exam glossary · Transfer Of Title
Definition
The transfer of title without the owner's consent, by operation of law through descent, escheat, eminent domain, foreclosure, tax sale, partition, or adverse possession. It is the counterpart to voluntary alienation by deed or will.
Involuntary alienation in plain English
Alienation just means transferring ownership of property to someone else. 'Involuntary' means it happens WITHOUT the owner agreeing — the law moves the title whether they like it or not. This covers things like the bank taking a house when the loan isn't paid (foreclosure), the government seizing it for a highway, or property passing to relatives when someone dies without a will. It's the opposite of voluntary alienation, where you choose to hand it over by signing a deed or leaving it in your will.
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