derivative acquisition

Derivative acquisition refers to obtaining ownership or rights to property through a transaction or transfer from a previous owner, rather than originating ownership directly. This means the acquirer receives their rights or title from another party who previously held those rights. 

A derivative acquisition is different from an original acquisition in that the acquisition was never the actual property of another in the original purchase.

[Last reviewed in July of 2024 by the Wex Definitions Team]

Wex