Kovats Real Estate School Practice Test

What is the term for the legal process by which land is exposed when a water course permanently dries up?

1. Accretion

2. Avulsion

3. Reliction

4. Accession

The correct answer is: Reliction

Reliction is the term used to describe the legal process that occurs when a water course permanently dries up, resulting in the exposure of land that was previously covered by water. This situation arises when there is a significant and permanent change to the body of water, allowing new land to emerge. The concept of reliction is important in property law, as it can impact the boundaries of ownership. When land is exposed due to a drying up of water, the owner of the land adjacent to the water may extend their property rights to the newly exposed land, which can affect assessments of property value and legal claims. The other terms—accretion, avulsion, and accession—refer to different processes related to land changes. Accretion involves gradual accumulation of land through natural forces, avulsion entails sudden changes due to natural events (such as floods or landslides) that do not alter the property boundary, and accession relates to the addition of value or property to an existing estate. Understanding these terms is crucial for grasping how property rights and land ownership can fluctuate with changes in natural watercourses.