Appurtenant Easement
Owner of property "A's" right to use or cross "B's" property. (These rights are a part of the ownership of property "A" and transfer if sold).
Accretion
The gradual depositing of soil naturally eroded by wind and water from elsewhere.
Avulsion
Sudden loss of land from earthquake or mudslide.
License
Revocable permission to use another's land, usually for a specific purpose. (i.e. Someone allowing you to fish in their pond or tickets to a ball game.)
Police Power
Government's authority to make and enforce laws or regulations.
Condemnation
Process by which the government exercises its right of eminent domain to acquire title to property for public use or benefit.
Easement by Prescription
Use right created by a claimant's uninterrupted use of another's land for the prescribed period of time. (Similar to "squatter's rights". Use must be without owner's approval and not on public land).
Easement in Gross
Individual interest or use right in another's land; usually commercial in nature. (i.e. utility lines, and rail roads)
Defeasible Fee
O wnership with "strings attached." Grantor prohibits or limits specific uses of property. Breach could "revert" or return ownership to grantor.
Eminent Domain
Government's right to acquire private property for "public use" through condemnation with just compensation paid to the owner.
Encroachment
Improvements illegally placed upon an adjoining property or beyond set back lines.
Encumbrance
Monetary claim, lien, easement or other restriction attached to real estate decreasing its value.
Homestead
Protection of the family homestead from unsecured creditor(s). Could create a life estate.
Escheat
Process by which ownership of real property could transfer to the state upon owner's abandonment or death without will or heirs.
Life Estate
Ownership interest, limited by grantor, to the life of the grantee (life tenant) or other named party. (A less than fee simple interest where the grantor effectively controls where the property goes upon grantees death).
Fee Simple Absolute
Highest form of ownership recognized by law.
Littoral Rights
Common law water rights of property owners bordering navigable lakes, seas and oceans.
Reversionary Interest
Rights that will return upon the occurrence of certain events. (i.e. Rights of the grantor during the term of a life estate, or the rights of the lessor during the term of a lease.)
Riparian Rights
Common law water rights of owners bordering streams or rivers. Such rights include access and use.
Remainder Interest
Future rights of ownership of the party named by the grantor following the end of a life estate.