A "quiet title suit" is a judicial proceeding to remove a cloud or clouds on a title to real property. A "quiet title suit" may also be used to establish title as where a plaintiff claims title through adverse possession.

A quiet title action may be used to:

• Extinguish easements.
• Release a homestead, dower or curtesy interest.
• Clear tax titles.
• Release remote claims to the property.
• Substantiate the title of an adverse possessor.
• Clear the cloud on the title produced by a forfeited recorded contract for deed.
• Furnish record evidence of titles which would otherwise rest entirely on estoppel by deed.
• Reform or construe original records which were invalid by reason of inherent defects, or uncertain as to parties, property, or terms.

There are advantages of a decree entered in an action to quiet or confirm title. In a properly conducted action, it may adjudicate the title of the owner as against:

• Parties from whom the securing of voluntary releases would be impracticable or impossible;
• Nonresidents;
• Unknown claimants;
• Parties yet unborn or not ascertainable

Because any decree or judgment entered in a suit to quiet title becomes a muniment of title, it becomes necessary to ascertain that:

• It is valid.
• It is sufficient to remove the cloud, defect, or uncertainty which was the occasion for the action.

The following points should be duly considered:

• Proper Jurisdiction of the Court
  
  The court must be empowered by the local applicable laws to make the particular type of decree which it enters, e.g., a court whose powers are limited to probate matters cannot enter a decree quieting title based upon adverse possession.
  
  The court must have control over the "thing" affected by the judgment, e.g., the land must be located within the territorial area of the court before it can enter a decree quieting the title.
  
  
• Petition or Complaint
  
  The allegations in a petition to quiet title can disclose a legal or equitable cause of action or can combine the two kinds of actions.
  
  In most states the complaint must be verified, and together with the summons or notice must accurately describe the property and the adverse claims and state the nature and extent of the plaintiff's claims.
  
  
• Defendants
  
  All persons or entities who have estates, interests or encumbrances on the land and who will be affected by the decree must be made parties to the suit and must have become subject to the orders of the court either by reason of their voluntary entries of appearance or by proper service of process upon them.
  
  
• Guardian Ad Litem
  
  Guardians ad litem must be appointed by the court in order to protect the rights of minors, unborn or unknown defendants, and also, to comply with the provisions of the Soldiers and Sailors' Relief Act of 1940.
  
  
• Decree
  
  A judgment in favor of a plaintiff who claims absolute title is all that is necessary to bar every right of ownership which the defendant might have.
  
  
• Appeal
  
  After a judgment has been entered:
  
  
  • The court making it, on the motion of any of the parties or on its own motion, can modify it or set it aside;
  • A party to the suit can file an appeal to a higher court, requesting that the decree be modified or set aside.
  
  
• Parties With Interest Who Were Not Named as Defendants
  
  Parties with interest in the property who were not named as defendants are not bound by the decree or judgment quieting the title.
  
  
• Recordability
  
  After the expiration of the appeal or review period, a certified copy of the judgment or decree must be filed for record in the appropriate recorder's or register's office.

Ascertain the sufficiency and validity of the decree or judgment.

Determine that the time to appeal or review has expired. In the alternative, raise the proper exception.