Writ What?
If you want the sheriff to actually march over and grab your physical property to bring it back to you, you’ll be filing for this.
What is Replevin?
You didn't mean to drop it and you have no idea where it is. In the eyes of the law, it’s now this.
What is Lost Property?
It’s the golden rule of property: the first person to grab an unowned thing becomes the legal owner.
What is the Principle of First Possession?
If you want to steal land legally, remember this 5-letter mnemonic for your checklist.
What is ECHON? (Exclusive, Continuous, Hostile, Open/Notorious)
You’ll get market value damages with this writ, provided you can prove your possession was superior to the guy who took your stuff.
What is Trespass to Chattels?
You’ve walked away and left it for dead with zero plans to come back. The next person who finds it gets the whole prize.
What is Abandoned Property?
This Latin doctrine says if a fox is wandering around your backyard, the law treats it like it’s yours—even if you haven't caught it yet.
What is Ratione Soli?
In most states, the court doesn't care if you thought you owned the land or knew you were a trespasser; they just look at the facts
What is the Objective Standard
If your neighbor is being a nuisance and interfering with how you use your land, this is the "on the case" remedy you're looking for.
What is Trespass on the Case?
You set your watch on the desk and walked out. Now, the person who owns the building gets to hold onto it while we wait for you to realize your mistake.
What is Mislaid Property? (or the owner of the locus in quo)
In the most famous hunt in law school history, poor Post lost his fox because he was "merely pursuing" it when Pierson swooped in.
What is Pierson v. Post?
If you bought the land from the last guy who was squatting there, you can add your years together thanks to this rule.
What is Tacking?
This is the big one—the "right to crash out"—where you show superior possession and full title to get those damages.
What is Trover?
If you’re digging up gold or silver coins that someone buried during the Civil War, you’ve stumbled upon this specific legal category.
What is a Treasure Trove?
You can’t just scare away your neighbor’s ducks because you’re a hater. This 1707 case says "mere spite" is a legal no-go
What is Keeble v. Hickeringill?
For personal property like a stolen painting, the clock might not start ticking until the owner tracks you down and demands it back.
What is the Demand and Refusal Rule?
Think of this as "Trover Lite." It vindicates your control over an item, but the payout is usually limited to use value.
What is Trespass to Chatel?
A humble chimney sweep found a jewel in this classic 1722 case, proving that finders have rights against everyone except the true owner.
What is Armory v. Delamirie?
If you want to claim "occupancy" of a wild animal, you better strip away its natural liberty and show the world you mean to keep it.
What are Intention and Dominion/Control?
If the true owner is a minor or in prison when you start squatting, the legal clock might take a "time out" known as this.
What are Disabilities?