Opinion ID: 1987059
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Action to Quiet Title

Text: We consider first the claim by PCHS that the district court erred in denying its motion for summary judgment on its action to quiet title pursuant to Iowa Code chapter 649 (1995). Section 649.1 provides: An action to determine and quiet the title of real property may be brought by anyone, whether in or out of possession, having or claiming an interest therein, against any person claiming title thereto, though not in possession. As part of its counterclaim, PCHS sought attorney fees under Iowa Code section 649.5, which states as follows: If a party, twenty days or more before bringing suit to quiet a title to real estate, requests of the person holding an apparent adverse interest or right therein the execution of a quitclaim deed thereto, and also tenders to the person one dollar and twenty-five cents to cover the expense of the execution and delivery of the deed, and if the person refuses or neglects to comply, the filing of a disclaimer of interest or right shall not avoid the costs in an action afterwards brought, and the court may, in its discretion, if the plaintiff succeeds, assess, in addition to the ordinary costs of court, an attorney's fee for plaintiff's attorney, not exceeding twenty-five dollars if there is but a single tract not exceeding forty acres in extent, or a single lot in a city, involved.... To determine whether PCHS's motion for summary judgment on its action to quiet title should have been granted, we must determine whether Sandra's judgment lien can be enforced against the property.