Noblesville, IN asked in Estate Planning, Gov & Administrative Law and Land Use & Zoning for Indiana

Q: If you take care of a pice of ground for 50 years mow it and clean it up does it become yours

1 Lawyer Answer
Ben F Meek III
Ben F Meek III
Answered
  • Estate Planning Lawyer
  • Oklahoma City, OK

A: Maybe. In order to obtain land by adverse possession there are several things you have to be able to prove. That you possessed the property, that you exercised control that was exclusive (nobody else controlling it), open (not hidden), notorious (well known or easy to see), and hostile to ownership by anyone else. With that much time passing, you can probably show all of those elements and any others that may be required by the law of your state. But in order to obtain actual legal title to the land, you will most likely have to file a Quiet Title suit to get a court ruling that the property is yours.

Contact an experienced real estate lawyer in your area for specific advice on your situation. Good luck.

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