Any person in possession of land owned by someone else may claim adverse possession and acquire valid title to it under, as long as certain requirements are met, like being in possession for a sufficient period of time or paying taxes on the property. These requirements vary by jurisdiction.
What are the requirements for adverse possession?
These requirements vary by jurisdiction. Adverse possession is a principle of real estate law that allows a person who possesses someone else's land for an extended period of time to claim legal title to that land.
How does adverse possession work?
Each state has different statues and time elements required for adverse possession. When adverse possession is in place, it only pertains to the property that the person has possessed. If the property owner has title to a greater area, the possessor is not entitled to obtain all of it.
