What term is used for the process when a true owner fails to maintain possession, and another party takes over the property?

The correct term for the situation where a true owner fails to maintain possession of a property and allows another party to take over is known as adverse possession. This legal principle allows someone to claim ownership of a property after a certain period of continuous and exclusive possession under specific conditions, usually without the permission of the original owner.

For adverse possession to be valid, the party claiming possession must meet certain criteria, including open and notorious use, actual possession, and the possession must be continuous for a specified number of years, which varies by jurisdiction. The underlying idea is that if the true owner does not assert their rights or maintain possession of the property-typically due to neglect or absence-the possessor may gain ownership through their actions over time.

The other options, while related to property law, do not accurately describe this specific situation. Estoppel relates to preventing a party from arguing something contrary to a previous position or assertion due to reliance by another party. Possession transfer is a more general term and does not convey the legal intricacies of adverse possession. Involuntary alienation refers to the transfer of property ownership without the owner's consent, often through legal processes such as foreclosure or condemnation, rather than the claimant openly occupying the property.