Art. 3651 Petitory action

If you believe you own a piece of land or property, but someone else is holding onto it or claiming they own it instead, you can file this type of lawsuit to settle the matter in court. It's used when you don't currently have possession of the property yourself, but you believe the legal title belongs to you.

This action is basically a way to ask a judge to officially recognize you as the true owner. You would file it against the person who either physically possesses the property or who is claiming ownership rights that conflict with yours. The goal is to get a court judgment that clearly states you are the rightful owner.

This applies to land, buildings, and other property that can't be moved, as well as certain real rights connected to that property, like mineral rights or servitudes. If you win, the court's judgment settles the ownership question and can clear up disputes about who really holds title to the property.