In property law, what does 'squatter's rights' refer to?

The term 'squatter's rights' refers to the legal principles associated with adverse possession. Adverse possession allows a person who occupies land without permission from the owner to potentially gain legal title to that land after meeting certain conditions. Typically, these conditions include continuous and uninterrupted use of the property for a specific period, showing that the possession is open and notorious, exclusive, and hostile to the true owner's interests.

This concept provides a way for those who may not have formal title to land to acquire ownership through prolonged, unauthorized use under specific legal guidelines. It reflects a balance in property law, recognizing the rights of individuals who meaningfully use land over time, even if they do not hold the legal title.

The other options pertain to different legal concepts. Eminent domain refers to the government's right to acquire private property for public use, escheat pertains to the reversion of property to the state when an owner dies without heirs, and a quiet title action is a legal proceeding to settle disputes over the title to real property. Each of these concepts operates independently from the principle of adverse possession and squatter's rights specifically.