lay claim to (something)
To assert that one has the legal or proper right to own or possess something. If no one lays claim to the wallet within 48 hours, you'll be able to keep it for yourself. The youngest son is laying claim to the business now that their father has passed away.
lay claim to something
to place a claim on something. Do you really think you can lay claim to that money after all these years? Someone came by and laid claim to the wallet you found.
lay claim to
Assert one's right to or ownership of, as in "What claim lays she to thee?" (Shakespeare, The Comedy of Errors, 3:2). [Late 1500s] Also see stake a claim.
lay ˈclaim to something
state that you have a right to something: ‘The Lamb and Flag’ lays claim to being the oldest pub in London. lay claim to
To assert one's right to or ownership of.