Title is the ownership interest or interests in real property and may include multiple legal and equitable interests that can be separated into separate title interests—such as water rights, easement rights, mineral rights, timber rights, and hunting rights—and held by different parties.

Title may also refer to legal evidence of a person’s or entity’s ownership of a piece of real property—often a document such as a deed that is recorded or filed in the public records (usually at the county level of government).

Title to a piece of real property is distinct from possession of the piece of real property. Possession of real property is a right that generally goes with title to real property—but possession is not necessarily sufficient to prove title to real property.

In Wisconsin, title refers to the legal ownership of real property and can encompass various rights, such as water, easement, mineral, timber, and hunting rights. These rights can be owned separately by different parties, allowing for a division of the property's interest. Evidence of title is typically in the form of a deed or other legal document, which is recorded in the public records of the county where the property is located. This recording provides notice to the public of the titleholder's interest in the property. It's important to distinguish between title and possession; while possession often accompanies title, simply possessing property does not prove legal ownership. To establish clear title and resolve any disputes over property rights, parties may need to engage in a legal process known as a quiet title action. An attorney can assist in navigating the complexities of property rights and ensuring that the title is properly recorded and legally recognized.