What denotes "color of title"?

Color of title refers to a somewhat obscure legal term that describes a situation where a person possesses a title or deed to property, but there may be some issues with its validity. This can occur when the title is derived through a chain of ownership that is not perfectly established or clear, which might indicate that while one believes they have ownership rights based on their documentation, there are questions or defects regarding that title.

This concept is particularly relevant in cases where there is a dispute over property ownership, or when adverse possession is being claimed, where the lack of a clear, regular title can still potentially establish rights to the property if certain conditions are met, including continuous possession and improvement of the land over time.

In contrast, proving rightful ownership, lease agreements, or a color-coded map do not pertain directly to the concept of color of title, which is specifically about the nuances and potential deficiencies in title evidence involved in property claims.