# RCW 7.28.280: RCW 7.28.280: Conflicting claims, donation law, generally—Joinder of parties > Washington · Statutes · In force URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T7_C28_S280 ## Section - **Citation:** RCW 7.28.280 - **Heading:** RCW 7.28.280: Conflicting claims, donation law, generally—Joinder of parties - **Jurisdiction:** Washington - **Kind:** Statutes - **Status:** In force - **Text as of:** August 14, 2026 - **Source:** Compiled text - **Location:** Washington Code / Title 7 / Chapter 28 / Section 280 ## Text In an action at law, for the recovery of the possession of real property, if either party claims the property as a donee of the United States, and under the act of congress approved September 27th, 1850, commonly called the "Donation law," or the acts amendatory thereof, such party, from the date of his or her settlement thereon, as provided in said act, shall be deemed to have a legal estate in fee, in such property, to continue upon condition that he or she perform the conditions required by such acts, which estate is unconditional and indefeasible after the performance of such conditions. In such action, if both plaintiff and defendant claim title to the same real property, by virtue of settlement, under such acts, such settlement and performance of the subsequent condition shall be prima facie presumed in favor of the party having or claiming under the elder certificate, or patent, as the case may be, unless it appears upon the face of such certificate or patent that the same is absolutely void. Any person in possession, by himself or herself or his or her tenant, of real property, and any private or municipal corporation in possession by itself or its tenant of any real property, or when such real property is not in the actual possession of anyone, any person or private or municipal corporation claiming title to any real property under a patent from the United States, or during his, her, or its claim of title to such real property under a patent from the United States for such real estate, may maintain a civil action against any person or persons, corporations, or associations claiming an interest in said real property or any part thereof, or any right thereto adverse to him, her, them, or it, for the purpose of determining such claim, estate, or interest; and where several persons, or private or municipal corporations are in possession of, or claim as aforesaid, separate parcels of real property, and an adverse interest is claimed or claim made in or to any such parcels, by any other person, persons, corporations, or associations, arising out of a question, conveyance, statute, grant, or other matter common to all such parcels of real estate, all or any portion of such persons or corporations so in possession, or claiming such parcel of real property may unite as plaintiffs in such suit to determine such adverse claim or interest against all persons, corporations, or associations claiming such adverse interest. ## Nearby sections - [RCW 7.28.010 RCW 7.28.010: Who may maintain actions—Service on nonresident defendant.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T7_C28_S010.md) - [RCW 7.28.050 RCW 7.28.050: Limitation of actions for recovery of real property—Adverse possession under title deducible of record.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T7_C28_S050.md) - [RCW 7.28.060 RCW 7.28.060: Rights inhere to heirs, devisees and assigns.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T7_C28_S060.md) - [RCW 7.28.070 RCW 7.28.070: Adverse possession under claim and color of title—Payment of taxes.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T7_C28_S070.md) - [RCW 7.28.080 RCW 7.28.080: Color of title to vacant and unoccupied land.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T7_C28_S080.md) - [RCW 7.28.083 RCW 7.28.083: Adverse possession—Reimbursement of taxes or assessments—Payment of unpaid taxes or assessments—Awarding of costs and attorneys' fees.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T7_C28_S083.md) - [RCW 7.28.085 RCW 7.28.085: Adverse possession—Forestland—Additional requirements—Exceptions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T7_C28_S085.md) - [RCW 7.28.090 RCW 7.28.090: Adverse possession—Public lands—Adverse title in minors, persons under guardianship or conservatorship.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T7_C28_S090.md) - [RCW 7.28.100 RCW 7.28.100: Construction.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T7_C28_S100.md) - [RCW 7.28.110 RCW 7.28.110: Substitution of landlord in action against tenant.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T7_C28_S110.md) - [RCW 7.28.120 RCW 7.28.120: Pleadings—Superior title prevails.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T7_C28_S120.md) - [RCW 7.28.130 RCW 7.28.130: Defendant must plead nature of his or her estate or right to possession.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T7_C28_S130.md) - [RCW 7.28.140 RCW 7.28.140: Verdict of jury.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T7_C28_S140.md) - [RCW 7.28.150 RCW 7.28.150: Damages—Limitation—Permanent improvements.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T7_C28_S150.md) --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T7_C28_S280. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.