Q: Do the 7yrs in adverse possession claim in Florida starts the date of actual possession or the date you file the claim?
A:
The date of actual possession.
You refer to Florida Statute 95.18 Real property actions; adverse possession without color of title (one of the two adverse possession statutes in Florida):
"(1) When the possessor has been in actual continued possession of real property for 7 years under a claim of title exclusive of any other right, but not founded on a written instrument, judgment, or decree, or when those under whom the possessor claims meet these criteria, the property actually possessed is held adversely if the person claiming adverse possession:
(a) Paid, subject to s. 197.3335, all outstanding taxes ... levied against the property ... within 1 year after entering into possession;
(b) Made a return, as required under subsection (3), ... ; and
(c) Has subsequently paid, ... all taxes ... all remaining years necessary to establish a claim of adverse possession.
...
(3) A person claiming adverse possession under this section must make a return of the property by providing to the property appraiser a uniform return on a form provided by the Department of Revenue. ..."
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