What is the definition of an owner in the context of asset forfeiture?

In the context of asset forfeiture, the definition of an owner encompasses individuals who have a claim to the property through legal or equitable means. This includes anyone who can demonstrate some level of control, interest, or rights associated with the asset. An equitable or legal ownership interest might include formal ownership (like being on the title) or other claim forms that imply entitlement to the property. This broad definition acknowledges that various forms of ownership entitle someone to claim or contest forfeiture, not limited just to what might be documented in formal ownership records.

While the other options touch on ownership concepts, they do not capture the full scope of "owner" as effectively as the correct one. For example, merely being a registered buyer does not necessarily equate to having full ownership interest if those contractual rights have not been fully realized or transferred. Similarly, a beneficiary might have rights to benefit from an asset but may not hold ownership in the same sense as a legal or equitable owner does. Therefore, the concept of ownership in this context is more comprehensive and includes more than formal titles or registrations.