Q: In the state of Alabama i was told if you pay the taxes on someone's property for three years you have the right to it
The owner is deceased taxes not been paid for the year the owner has children but one is deceased one in mental home
A: I have not heard of a three-year time period for adverse possession, but of a ten-year time period. (There is a three-year right of redemption of your own property if it is foreclosed upon.) I took on an adverse possession case not long ago. There is nothing automatic about an adverse possession claim. Yes, you could pay the property taxes on a parcel for ten years, but if there is any opposition to your "Petition to Quiet Title," you will likely have to argue in court with your opponent. There won't likely be a summary dismissal, but a full trial. If adverse possession cases were quick and easy, there would be a thousand lawyers doing nothing else. In the case I had, we settled it and sold the property at a good price to benefit all parties.
Anthony M. Avery agrees with this answer
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