When an individual acquires title from the rightful owner through hostile, actual, and continuous occupation of the land for the statutory period, ________ occurs.

The concept of acquiring title from the rightful owner through hostile, actual, and continuous occupation of land for the statutory period is known as adverse possession. This legal doctrine allows a person to claim ownership of land under certain conditions, usually after possessing the land for a specified duration, which varies by jurisdiction.

The key elements involved in adverse possession include:

1. Hostile: The possession must be without the permission of the original owner.

2. Actual: The possessor must physically occupy the land and treat it as their own.

3. Continuous: The possession must be uninterrupted for the entire statutory period established by law.

Upon meeting these criteria, the individual can effectively gain legal title to the property, despite the original owner's rights. This doctrine serves to encourage the productive use of land and prevents the land from remaining idle for too long, as it incentivizes property owners to actively maintain and oversee their holdings.

In contrast, the other options do not apply to this scenario. Eminent domain refers to the government's right to seize private property for public use, typically accompanied by compensation, whereas foreclosure involves a lender taking possession of property due to the owner's default on mortgage payments. Voluntary alienation involves the transfer of property by the