Adverse Possession: What Is It? (2024)

Erica Gellerman6-minute read

May 01, 2023

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There are a lot of things to be concerned about as a property owner, especially if you’ve recently purchased a home. One of the lesser-known risks is adverse possession. Often called “squatter’s rights,” adverse possession gives trespassers the legal right to take possession of land they don’t own.

In this article we’ll cover what adverse possession means, along with the requirements for such a claim to be successful and what you can do to protect yourself from this situation.

Key Takeaways:

  • Adverse possession is a legal doctrine that allows a trespasser to claim title and ownership rights of a piece of real estate after a period of time.
  • Requirements of adverse possession include exclusive use, continuous use and open takeover of the land.
  • You can prevent adverse possession by marking boundary lines and providing written permission of use.

Table Of Contents

What Is Adverse Possession?

Elements Of Adverse Possession

What Happens If The Trespasser Proves Their Claim?

Adverse Possession And Easem*nts

How To Prevent Adverse Possession

How To Get Help With Trespassers

Adverse Possession Examples FAQs

The Bottom Line

What Is Adverse Possession?

Adverse possession is a legal doctrine that allows a trespasser to claim ownership rights of a piece of real estate, as long as they meet the necessary requirements for a period of time specified by the state’s statute of limitations. It’s also sometimes referred to as “squatters’ rights,” though that’s not the legal term.

The real estate law that supports the doctrine of adverse possession notes that the land should be productive and that if a landowner is absent or oblivious, the person using the land (and meeting all criteria) should have the legal right to own it.

Adverse Possession: What Is It? (1)

Elements Of Adverse Possession

There are certain criteria that must be met for a trespasser to claim adverse possession. In addition to the elements below, state-specific requirements also exist.

Some state laws require that the trespasser be current on property taxes. All states mandate different lengths of the trespass, also known as the statutory period. The statutory period ranges from 2 years in Arizona to 30 years in Louisiana.

The general elements of adverse possession include the following conditions:

Adverse Possession: What Is It? (2)

Open

It needs to be clear to anyone who looks that the trespasser is in possession of the property. No hiding in the shadows or keeping the occupation of the land a secret – it needs to be out in the open for anyone who is paying attention to see.

Notorious

Similar to the criteria of open possession, the trespasser’s use of the property needs to be notorious. That means that if someone in the community was asked who owns the property, they would answer that the trespasser owned the property. However, the true owner doesn’t need to be aware of the notorious possession for it to meet legal requirements.

Hostile

No, property trespassing doesn’t need to be malicious or unfriendly to qualify for adverse possession. But the trespassing does need to be done in a way that infringes on the owner’s rights, without permission.

If the owner allowed the trespassing, there can’t be an adverse possession claim, as it’s not hostile. The court will follow one of the three definitions of “hostile” below for a successful claim.

  • Good faith mistake: Some states follow this statute, such as Washington, in which the trespasser mistakenly believes they have ownership of the land. This is seen in the case of an inaccurate deed.
  • Simple occupation: This rule defines “hostile” as a trespasser who occupies the land without knowledge of the property belonging to someone else.
  • Awareness of trespassing: This ruling states the trespasser must be aware that their use of the property is trespassing, meaning the trespasser doesn’t have legal possession of the land.

Actual

If a trespasser isn’t actually living on the land or the property that they are trying to take possession of, they don’t meet the criteria of actual possession. To make an adverse possession claim, they must be living on the land, living in the house or working in the fields, for example.

The trespasser can document their efforts of maintaining and improving the land. Examples include significant repairs on the property or tending to a garden.

Exclusive

The trespasser must have exclusive possession of the property (or share it with other trespassers) and act as if they are the actual owners of the property. The legal owners need to be excluded from using the property.

Continuous

The trespasser must maintain continuous possession of the property during the state’s statutory period. If they leave the property before the statutory period is completed, they need to restart the statutory period before they can claim adverse possession.

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What Happens If The Trespasser Proves Their Claim?

If the trespasser is successful in making an adverse possession claim, property rights legally transfer. The adverse possessor will own the property’s legal title and they can use or dispose of it as they choose.

Adverse Possession And Easem*nts

A prescriptive easem*nt is different from adverse possession. They’re both a way to gain access legally to someone else’s land, but the extent of the use is different. A prescriptive easem*nt occurs when a trespasser meets the criteria for open and notorious. They don’t need to possess it, but they do need to use the property.

An example of a prescriptive easem*nt would be if children used a path through your property to reach school. If they have been doing this openly for years and you’ve noticed but never stopped them, they likely will be able to receive a prescriptive easem*nt to continue using that piece of land in the same way. They won’t gain title or ownership of the land – just the right to continue using it.

How To Prevent Adverse Possession

To prevent a claim of right through adverse possession, you can take some precautions to help protect your property, such as:

  • Clearly marking the boundary lines
  • Walking your property lines to check for any signs of trespassing
  • Installing “No Trespassing” signs to deter unwanted visitors
  • Building a fence around your property or a gate on your driveway

How To Get Help With Trespassers

For more digestible insight on adverse possession, land disputes and “squatters rights,” read “Adverse Possession: A Practical Legal Guide,” by A.O. McCullough.

If you suspect a trespasser is using your land and you want to file a lawsuit, use the American Bar Directory and Lawyer Finder to find a lawyer in your state and area.

Some states require trespassers to pay property taxes for their period of stay. Other states may require trespassers to have documentation of ownership of the property, like a deed, even if it’s inaccurate. Research your state’s law on adverse possession for more specific information.

Here’s more things you can do when you discover a trespasser on your property:

  • Call the police.
  • Hire a lawyer. As the owner, you may choose to file a lawsuit to remove the trespasser from the land. It’s better to file a lawsuit as soon as you’re aware of a trespasser, depending on your state’s laws, for a successful adverse possession claim.
  • Provide written permission to someone for the use of the land and get their written acknowledgement. This is useful to avoid an adverse possession claim.
  • Offer to rent the land to the trespasser.

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Adverse Possession: What Is It? (4)

Adverse Possession Examples FAQs

Not sure how adverse possession will affect different situations? Read the following questions about some potential real-life scenarios to learn more.

Does the statutory period start over when I move into a new home?

Let’s say you just bought a house and the attached garage is technically on the neighbor’s property. The structure was built over 40 years ago, so the neighbor has been aware of this encroachment for a long time.

As a new owner, the statutory period doesn’t have to restart when you purchased the property. That means you can claim that the trespass began when the garage was built. Forty years is past the typical statutory period, so the neighbor-owner has forfeited their ownership of the property.

If I bought a property that includes a neighbor’s garage, can I have it removed?

Using a reverse of the above scenario, let’s say you bought the property that contains the neighbor’s garage that was built over 40 years ago. Could you challenge your neighbor’s right to ownership?

Aside from asking nicely, there’s likely nothing you can do in this situation. The trespasser has completed the statutory period and property rights have vested. Know that if you sue and a claim of adverse possession is upheld, the trespasser’s right would be formally recognized and recorded as part of the title.

Hopefully, you would have already known about this situation before completing the real estate transaction. A title search is required so that buyers are aware of any ownership interests beforehand.

If I planted a garden on my family member’s property, can I claim adverse possession?

For this example, let’s say you live next door to your in-laws and you’ve created a garden that overlaps onto their property. You’ve taken care of the plants for years and everyone is aware that it’s your garden.

At first glance, this might be a successful claim. But some courts have ruled that adverse possession between family members won’t be successful because of implied consent. Because it’s between family members, the property owner may not mind if their relative borrows the land, so it doesn’t meet the hostile criteria.

Adverse Possession: What Is It? (5)

Can a homeowners association block my right to assert adverse possession?

One of the main functions of a homeowners association (HOA) is to mediate disputes between neighbors. For that reason, they may restrict an owner’s right to sue their neighbor. You may not be successful in disputing that restriction because you’ve agreed to abide by those rules and the neighbor could reasonably expect to not be sued, citing protections of HOA rules.

This means that if you try to sue to establish adverse possession over your neighbor’s property, you might not be able to take the case to court and therefore, not gain legal ownership.

How do adverse possession claims end up in court?

Disputes can arise in situations dealing with the legal ownership of a property. If these disputes cannot be worked out between the parties involved, then the issue may be left to the court for resolution.

For example, the property owner may choose to sue the trespasser, or the trespasser may file a lawsuit to “quiet title” – a special legal action to determine the true ownership of a property. If questions arise within these circ*mstances, it’s best to seek legal advice to cover your bases.

What’s the difference between adverse possession vs. homesteading?

Homesteading and adverse possession are similar to some extent. Homesteading occurs when government-owned land is granted to a new owner when they are actively improving or using the property. Adverse possession may be similar if the land is freed up with an uncertain title for productive use.

Although similar in practice, adverse possession can be taken advantage of, whereas homesteading can’t. For example, let’s say there’s an unwritten easem*nt between two farms where one farmer has a physical fence around their property that includes a chunk of their neighbor’s land in it. The farmer actively using the land can claim adverse possession due to the lack of a written easem*nt.

Can you trespass on your own property?

There are situations where you can trespass on land that you own. If you previously owned property with a spouse and divorce occurs, the court may decide to give full ownership to one person. In most states, this person actively lives on the property. If the person who doesn’t live in the home goes onto the property, they can be charged with trespassing, even if they own the home or have their name on the title.

In some cases, the court judge may provide permission to the defendant to enter the property. These decisions are made on a case-by-case basis and will depend on the state the land resides in. Seek a lawyer in your area for more specific information.

Adverse Possession In Every State

State

Adverse Possession Statute

Time Required For Continuous Possession (In Years)

Alabama

Ala. Code Ann. § 6-5-200

10

Alaska

Alaska Stat. Ann. § § 09.10.030, 09.45.052

7

Arizona

Ariz. Rev. Stat. § § 12-522 and following

2

Arkansas

Ark. Code Ann. § § 18-61-103, 18-11-106

7

California

Cal. Civ. Proc. Code § 325

5

Colorado

Colo. Rev. Stat. § § 38-41-101, 38-41-108

18

Connecticut

Conn. Gen. Stat. Ann. § 52-575

15

Delaware

Del. Code Ann. tit. 10 § 7901

20

District of Columbia

Section 16–3301

15

Florida

Fla. Stat. Ann. § 95.12 and following

7

Georgia

Ga. Code Ann. § § 44-4-7, 44-5-14, 44-5-161 and following

20

Hawaii

Haw. Rev. Stat. § 657-31 to 31.5

20

Idaho

Idaho Code Ann. § § 5-206 and following

20

Illinois

735 Ill. Comp. Stat. Ann. § § 5/13-105, 107, 109

20

Indiana

Ind. Code Ann. § § 32-23-1-1, 34-11-2-11

10

Iowa

Iowa Code Ann. § 614.17A

10

Kansas

Kan. Stat. Ann. § 60-503

15

Kentucky

Ky. Rev. Stat. § § 413.010, 413.060

15

Louisiana

La. Civ. Code art. 3475, 3486

30

Maine

Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14, § 801

20

Maryland

Md. Ann. Code [Cts. & Jud. Proc.] § 5-103

20

Massachusetts

Mass. Gen. Laws Ann. ch. 260, § 21

20

Michigan

Mich. Comp. Laws Ann. § 600.5801

15

Minnesota

Minn. Stat. Ann. § 541.02

15

Mississippi

Miss. Code Ann. § § 15-1-7, 15-1-13

10

Missouri

Mo. Stat. Ann. § 516.010

10

Montana

Mont. Code Ann. § 70-19-411

5

Nebraska

Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-202

10

Nevada

Nev. Rev. Stat. § § 11.070, 11.110, 11.150, 40.090

15

New Hampshire

N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 508:2

20

New Jersey

N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2A:14-30

30

New Mexico

N.M. Stat. Ann. § 37-1-22

10

New York

New York Real Prop. Acts. Law § 501, 511

10

North Carolina

N.C. Gen. Stat. § § 1-38, 1-40

20

North Dakota

N.D. Cent. Code Ann. § § 28-01-04 and following, 47-06-03

20

Ohio

Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 2305.04

21

Oklahoma

Okla. Stat. Ann. tit. 12, § 93

15

Oregon

Or. Rev. Stat. § § 12.050, 105.620

10

Pennsylvania

42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5530

21

Rhode Island

R.I. Gen. Laws Ann. § 34-7-1

10

South Carolina

S.C. Code Ann. § 15-67-210

10

South Dakota

S.D. Codified Laws Ann. § § 15-3-1, 15-3-15

20

Tennessee

Tenn. Code Ann. § § 28-2-101 to 28-2-103

7

Texas

Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code Ann. § 16.021 and following

10

Utah

Utah Code Ann. § § 78B-2-208 to 78B-2-214

7

Vermont

Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 12, § 501

15

Virginia

Va. Code Ann. § 8.01-236

15

Washington

Wash. Rev. Code Ann. § § 4.16.020, 7.28.050

10

West Virginia

W. Va. Code § 55-2-1

10

Wisconsin

Wis. Stat. Ann. § § 893.25 to 893.27

20

Wyoming

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 1-3-103

10

The Bottom Line: Protect Your Property To Avoid Losing It Through Adverse Possession

There are a lot of requirements for a trespasser to claim adverse possession. While these situations may seem far-fetched, it’s important to pay attention to your property to avoid losing it. The statutory period may seem long, but years can pass quickly without noticing.

If you’re currently dealing with an adverse possession or encroachment situation, you can learn how to resolve property line disputeswith our tips for dealing with trespassers.

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Adverse Possession: What Is It? (2024)

FAQs

Adverse Possession: What Is It? ›

Adverse possession is a legal doctrine that allows a trespasser to claim title and ownership rights of a piece of real estate after a period of time. Requirements of adverse possession include exclusive use, continuous use and open takeover of the land.

What is adverse possession in simple terms? ›

Adverse possession is a legal doctrine that allows a trespasser to claim title and ownership rights of a piece of real estate after a period of time. Requirements of adverse possession include exclusive use, continuous use and open takeover of the land.

What is adverse possession real examples? ›

Adverse possession is a legal doctrine that allows a person to claim a property right in land owned by another. Common examples of adverse possession include continuous use of a private road or driveway or agricultural development of an unused parcel of land.

What are the conditions to claim adverse possession in Georgia? ›

Under Georgia law, a person may be eligible to start an adverse possession claim if they have been living on the property for 20 years — or seven years with Color of Title.

What are the requirements for adverse possession in Pennsylvania? ›

(a) Adverse possession. --Title to real property may be acquired after no less than 10 years of actual, continuous, exclusive, visible, notorious, distinct and hostile possession of the real property.

What are the benefits of adverse possession? ›

Overall, the idea of adverse possession is important because it ensures that the land is used efficiently. If a legal owner is not making use of the property and it is becoming deserted, someone willing should have the ability to take over the land and utilize it efficiently.

What is the shortest time for squatters rights? ›

What is the shortest time for squatters' rights? The states with the shortest squatters' rights laws require only five years of adverse possession to make a claim of ownership.

What is another word for adverse possession? ›

Adverse possession is sometimes called squatter's rights, although squatter's rights are a colloquial reference to the idea rather than a recorded law.

What is it called when someone takes your property? ›

Definition of Larceny: Elements of the Crime

The unlawful taking and carrying away. Of someone's personal property. Without the consent of the owner and. With the intent to permanently deprive the owner of the property.

Which of the following is true about adverse possession? ›

Adverse possession is a law governing illegal settlement in a private property and the right of ownership upon settlement period exceeds the statute of limitations. Adverse possession is a forceful act of trespassing in a private property and claiming the right of ownership.

What is quiet title in Georgia? ›

Conventional quiet title is the form of action typically used to clear title to property purchased at a tax sale. O.C.G.A. § 23-3-44 provides that proceedings quia timet may be used to remove clouds on title caused by equities of redemption following tax sales.

How many years is adverse possession in Georgia? ›

Georgia adverse possession laws require 20 years of occupation in order to claim title. Adverse possession laws are commonly referred to as "squatters' rights" laws, since they often are invoked by squatters who inhabit land or structures otherwise left unused.

What are squatters rights in Georgia? ›

Squatters may claim legal ownership of the property they are occupying after a certain amount of time has passed through a process called adverse possession. In Georgia, squatters may claim adverse possession after 20 years of continuous occupation or just seven years with a color of title.

What is a quiet title in PA? ›

Quiet title actions are a kind of civil lawsuit. They're filed solely to settle any issues about the true ownership and rights to a piece of property. When successful, they remove other claims that may potentially exist to that property and “quiet” any adverse claims.

How long can someone leave their belongings on your property in PA? ›

Pennsylvania Law, 68 P. S250. 505a, gives tenants 10 days from the postmark date the landlord sends written notice that the items were left behind. You can request that the property be stored for an additional period not exceeding 30 days from the date of the notice.

What are the five elements of adverse possession quizlet? ›

What are the elements of adverse possession? actual entry, exclusive possession, open and notorious, hostile and adverse, continuous and interrupted.

Which of the following is not a necessary condition for claiming title by adverse possession? ›

Which of the following is NOT a necessary condition for claiming title by adverse possession? a combination of actual and constructive notice evidence of real property ownership.

Which of the following best describes the requirements to acquire title by adverse possession? ›

An adverse possessor must have continuous and uninterrupted possession for a minimum of five years, actual, open, and notorious possession, hostile possession, and must have paid property taxes on the property adversely possessed.

Which of the following is a legal life estate? ›

A homestead is a legal life estate in real estate that is... Because a homeowner failed to pay the real estate taxes on time, the taxing authority imposed a claim against the homeowner's property. This claim is known as a(n)...

What state has the best squatter rights? ›

That's because Florida is one of the states with one of the highest prevalence of squatters. Squatters rights exist in Florida and indeed in the rest of the country. As a matter of fact, they can legally claim ownership of your property through an adverse possession claim.

How do I get around squatters rights? ›

File a lawsuit if the squatter refuses to leave. You may want to use a real estate attorney who specializes in residential evictions to make sure that you follow the correct legal process. After the hearing is scheduled and you receive a judgment in your favor, local law enforcement will be used to remove the squatter.

How long is squatters rights in America? ›

Each state has its own laws regarding squatters' rights and the length of time, between 5-20 years, they must reside on the property to claim it. Furthermore, squatters must abide by the common laws of the doctrine. They are as follows: Squatters must have continuous possession of the land/property.

Which of the following is an element of adverse possession? ›

There are four required elements for an adverse possession to be effective: the possessor must have actually entered the property and must have exclusive possession of the property; the possession must be “open and notorious”; the possession must be adverse to the rightful owner and under a claim of right; and.

What is the meaning of adverse consequences? ›

Definition(s):

An undesirable consequence associated with a loss.

How do you use adverse possession in a sentence? ›

Sometimes a squatter acquires ownership of a property by 'adverse possession'. My neighbour claims he got title to part of my land by 'adverse possession'.

What is it called when someone uses your stuff without permission? ›

Identity theft is when someone uses your personal or financial information without your permission. They might steal your name and address, credit card, or bank account numbers, Social Security number, or medical insurance account numbers. And they could use them to. buy things with your credit cards.

What is it called when someone touches your stuff without permission? ›

Look up the definition of steal. I suspect that touching someone else's belongings without permission was simply the prelude to a theft, or thought to be.

What is it called when you mess with someone's property? ›

Vandalism is the act of intentionally harming someone else's property. To prove that the defendant is guilty of this crime, the prosecutor must prove that the defendant maliciously: Defaced with graffiti1 or with other inscribed material, or. Damaged2, or. Destroyed real or personal property.

What is the 10 year fence law in Louisiana? ›

Under Louisiana law, someone who openly occupies and improves an area of land for a period of at least 10 years can make a legal claim for ownership of the land. In these cases, the “trespasser” may not have even been aware they were trespassing if the boundary lines between two pieces of property were unclear.

What is considered a sudden change to land? ›

Avulsion is a sudden and perceptible change in the land brought about by water. Avulsion may result in the addition or removal of land from a bank or shoreline.

What is the 7 year fence law in Washington state? ›

Under Washington State law, an adverse possessor can only claim right to the property after 10 years of use and possession. If the possessor is paying the property taxes on that piece of land, the time period can be reduced to 7 years. Display continuous and uninterrupted use.

Can I remove neighbors fence on my property in Georgia? ›

Despite the absence of law directly on point, a fence placed on the property or boundary line between two or more properties is understood to be jointly owned by the neighbors. Therefore, no one neighbor can remove or modify an existing fence without the other neighbor's permission.

How much does a quiet title cost in Georgia? ›

Get a FREE Consultation for your Tax Deed Property

The average cost for barment of a tax sale property in Georgia can be $1,000-$2,5000. This must be completed before you can even start a quiet title action, which will cost, on average, another $4,500+ and take 6-24 months to complete.

What is slander of title in Georgia? ›

Slander or Libel Concerning Title to Land. The owner of any estate in lands may bring an action for libelous or slanderous words which falsely and maliciously impugn his title if any damage accrues to him therefrom.

How do I claim abandoned property in Georgia? ›

Unclaimed Property in Georgia

Residents will be asked to fill out a claim form sent to their email addresses. Once completed, residents are asked to wait 30 to 90 days for their payment by mail. Residents should be aware of fraudulent websites pretending they can pay back unclaimed property.

What is an easem*nt in Georgia for adverse possession? ›

Georgia law allows a party to obtain a private way (or easem*nt) over the land of another through a process known as prescription (also sometimes called adverse possession). See OCGA Section 49-4-40 et seq. This requires seven years' uninterrupted use through improved lands.

What is adverse possession in Atlanta? ›

Squatters' rights falls under a state statute called "adverse possession." The statute allows someone to gain ownership of another person's property by living there uninterrupted for 20 years. Until that happens, squatters can take up residence in an unoccupied house and claim they have rights to be there.

Can you go to jail for squatting in Georgia? ›

If squatters do not fulfill the requirements for an adverse possession claim, they can be arrested for trespassing. Further, if a property owner has made it known that the squatters are unwelcome on the property and they continue to trespass, they can be criminally charged.

How long does it take to evict squatter in GA? ›

Georgia doesn't specify the time limits of this notice; the period can be anywhere from 24 hours to 10 days. If the squatter doesn't move out after the expiry of the notice period, take the issue to court immediately and file a forceful detainer lawsuit.

Is squatting your truck illegal in Georgia? ›

(c) It shall be unlawful to alter the suspension system of any truck with a gross vehicle weight rating of not less than 4,501 pounds and not more than 7,500 pounds, which may be operated on any public street or highway, so as to exceed 30 inches as measured from the surface of the street to the lowest point on the ...

What is meant by quiet title? ›

A quiet title action is a special legal proceeding to determine ownership of real property. A party with a claim of ownership to land can file an action to quiet title, which serves as a sort of lawsuit against anyone and everyone else who has a claim to the land.

How do you become successful in quiet title action? ›

§761.020], a quiet title action must be well-supported. To file a successful quiet title action claim, you will need to provide a detailed description of the property at issue in the title dispute. Beyond that, you also should gather and organize all relevant property records.

What is the difference between a suit to quiet title and a trespass to try title in Texas? ›

Put simply, a trespass to try title claim is a legal procedure for challenging the ownership of property, while an action to quiet title is an equitable remedy for establishing one's right to ownership of real property against other adverse claimants. (3) the claim, although facially valid, is invalid or unenforceable.

Can a landlord move your personal belongings without permission in PA? ›

(f) Under no circ*mstances may a landlord dispose of or otherwise exercise control over personal property remaining upon inhabited premises without the express permission of the tenant.

Can I make someone leave my property in PA? ›

Under Pennsylvania law, 18 Pa. C.S.A. §3503(b), a person commits the crime of defiant trespass if he or she comes onto or stays on your property after being told to stay away. You can tell a person to stay away from property that you either own or rent.

What is the abandonment law in PA? ›

In Pennsylvania, a parent who abandons a child can be subject to criminal charges, including felony charges of endangering the welfare of a child. Depending on the circ*mstances of the case, the parent may be sentenced to prison and/or be required to pay restitution to the child.

What conditions must be satisfied before a person can acquire property by adverse possession? ›

In California, for a person to claim adverse possession, they must demonstrate that they have been in continuous and exclusive possession of the property for at least five years, openly and notoriously, and under a claim of right or with the belief that they have the legal right to possess the property.

What do you have to prove in order to claim a piece of property through adverse possession quizlet? ›

1 - In order to acquire title by adverse possession, the claimant must prove, by clear and convincing evidence,... that for the statutory period 'his use of the land was continuous, open and notorious, exclusive and hostile to the true owner. '

How do you remember adverse possession? ›

The acronym “OCEAN” is an easy method to remember the elements that must be proved to succeed in an adverse possession claim: Open, Continuous, Exclusive, Adverse and Notorious. The typical adverse possession case does not involve a squatter who moves onto a property to live.

What is an example of possession? ›

She came into possession of a rare silver coin. The family lost all of its possessions in the fire. This ring was my mother's most precious possession. The defendant was charged with heroin possession.

What is notorious possession? ›

Notorious possession is typically a common law requirement of the doctrine of adverse possession. The requirement establishes that acts of ownership must be observable by others, and not be secret or hidden.

What are the 4 types of possession? ›

Different Types of Possession
  • Constructive Possession. Constructive possession is often involved in criminal cases. ...
  • Criminal Possession. ...
  • Joint Possession. ...
  • Possession and Intent.
Aug 28, 2020

What is the rule for its possession? ›

Here's the rub: its (without an apostrophe) is a possessive pronoun, like his or her, for nouns that don't have a defined gender. In contrast, it's (with an apostrophe) is the shortened form, or contraction, of it is or it has.

How do you show possession of possession? ›

Separate and Joint Possession

To make two nouns show separate possession, add an apostrophe and an "s" after each possessive noun. Ex: Kari's and Lynn's bikes are in excellent condition. (They each have a bike.) To make two nouns show joint possession, add an apostrophe only to the second unit.

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