What legal concept allows a transferee to hold title to land that was previously sold to another party?

The after-acquired title doctrine is a legal principle that holds that when a person who sells property does not have title to that property at the time of the sale but subsequently acquires it, the title automatically vests in the purchaser without the need for any additional action. Essentially, if the seller's interest in the property is perfect after the sale, that newly acquired interest transfers to the buyer as if it was there at the time of the original transaction.

This doctrine supports the idea that a seller cannot convey better title than they possess at the time of sale, but if they later acquire the property or a valid title, it operates retroactively to benefit the purchaser. This principle is significant in real estate transactions to ensure that buyers have the ability to secure and maintain ownership despite initial gaps in the seller's title.

In contrast, adverse possession relates to acquiring title to land through continuous occupation under certain conditions, equitable estoppel prevents a party from asserting a claim or right that contradicts their previous conduct, and the statute of limitations typically refers to the time period within which legal claims must be filed. None of these concepts specifically address the situation of a transferee holding title that was previously sold to another party.