laying claim

(noun) the act of taking possession of or power over something. Synonyms: assumption, laying claim. Examples: "His assumption of office coincided with the trouble in cuba." "The nazi assumption of power in 1934." "He acquired all the company's assets for ten million dollars and the assumption of the company's debts."

(verb) demand as being one's due or property; assert one's right or title to. Synonyms: claim, lay claim, arrogate. Examples: "He claimed his suitcases at the airline counter." "Mr. smith claims special tax exemptions because he is a foreign resident."