How do you make a claim for adverse possession?
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How do you make a claim for adverse possession?
A summary judgement has been made for the forced sale of the property on which I’ve resided for 16 years. I have a quitclaim deed with my name under the title administrator of the estate. Since I have been in physical possession of the property and made improvements and paid property taxes wouldn’t I be able to claim the property under adverse possession? How would I do that?
Asked on September 7, 2011 under Real Estate Law, California
Answers:
FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
The elements for adverse possession are the open, continuous, exclusive, hostile and uninterrupted use of someone else's property for a period of more than five (5) years where the person claiming adverse possession has paid the proeprty taxes on the property for that time period.
Some states hold that one cannot obtain adverse possession from another co-owner of the property claimed to be adversely possessed because one co-owner cannot legally keep another co-owner off of the property that is owned in tandum.
If your dispute is with the estate of another former co-owner who has passed away, you may have a difficult time proving your claim of adverse possession. However, if you paid more than your fair share of the property, you can claim an equitable lien for such improvements greater than the share you would be responsible for.
Good luck.
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