Final answer:
An in rem action is a lawsuit directed against property rather than a person, used to settle the status of the property and rights regarding it, often seen in real estate disputes and government seizures.
Step-by-step explanation:
An in rem action is a legal term used to describe a lawsuit or other legal action that is directed against a particular piece of property, rather than against a person (in personam). 'Against a thing' is the Latin meaning of in rem. In such cases, the subject of the legal action is the property itself, and the outcome of the lawsuit is the settling of the status of the property and the rights of individuals with respect to that property.
For example, in rem actions are commonly seen in cases involving disputes over the ownership of real estate or in cases where the government wants to seize property for unpaid taxes or other statutory violations. Because the action is against the property, anyone with an interest in the property is potentially affected by the case and should be given notice to participate in the proceedings.