legal ownership
Having lawful title
Legal ownership is the formal right to possess, use, and dispose of property as recognized by law.
It differs from mere possession—a thief possesses stolen goods but doesn't legally own them.
Legal ownership typically requires documentation: The deed establishes legal ownership of the house.
The term often appears when distinguishing registered title from practical control or beneficial interest.
- possessionState of owning
- real estateLand and its structures
- transferMove between locations
- deedWritten property conveyance
- clear titleUncontested ownership proof
beneficiary · lien · copyright · trade secret · equity · agreement · assignation · encumbrance · trademark · patent · probate · power of attorney · quitclaim · land registry · conveyance · property · executor · vesting
- property lawfreehold, leasehold, deed, deeds, title
- land registrycadastre, land register, land registry, land title, title deed
- property rightsproperty rights, private property, real property, title, deed
- property transfertitle, property transfer, lease, conveyance, mortgage
- truststrust fund, trusts, trust deed, trustee, trustees
legal ownershipillegal possession
Crime of holding prohibited items
unlawful possession · dispossession · theft · stolen property · physical possession
legal ownershiptemporary possession
legal ownershipphysical possession
Tangible item owned
custody · holding · occupancy · having · stewardship