What does 'divest' mean in legal terms?

In legal terms, 'divest' refers to the process of depriving someone of rights, interests, or title to property. This can occur through various means such as legal transactions or judicial actions. When an individual or entity is divested of their title, they lose their legal claim or ownership, which can happen, for example, in cases of foreclosure, bankruptcy, or other legal disputes where a court may rule that an individual no longer holds rights to their property.

Understanding the concept of divestiture is crucial in the context of title insurance, real estate transactions, and property law, as it highlights how ownership can shift and the implications this has on rights and claims over a property. The other options relate to increasing ownership or transferring or willing property, which are not aligned with the concept of taking away or depriving rights.