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 Idaho, a quiet title action is a legal proceeding used to resolve disputes over the ownership of real property. This type of lawsuit allows a person or entity claiming rightful ownership (the plaintiff) to seek a court judgment affirming their title to the property, thereby 'quieting' any competing claims. The defendant in such a case is typically a party who is asserting some adverse interest or claim to the property. The goal of a quiet title action is to eliminate any doubt regarding the ownership of the land and to prevent the defendant from making any future claims against the property. Idaho's statutes provide the framework for these actions, which must be filed in the district court of the county where the property is located. The process involves filing a complaint, serving notice to interested parties, and sometimes involves a trial where evidence is presented. If the plaintiff is successful, the court will issue a judgment that clarifies and establishes the plaintiff's title to the property, free from the claims of others. It's important to note that the specifics of the process and the remedies available can vary, and an attorney with experience in real estate law would be able to provide guidance tailored to the individual case.