Adverse Possession "Squatter's Rights"

[rbwyatt2]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Indiana

Since 1973, first my wife's parents then me and my wife, have been maintaining a small lot (20x50) that sits between us and our neighbor that we thought we owned. Our septic finger system was even put in on part of this lot back in the late 70s. Last year we found out that someone else actually owned the lot who didnt even know he owned it.

Since we have been keeping and maintaining this piece of land for over 30 years, do we have any legal claim to ownership?

 

[FlyingRon]

It's quite possible you can make a case for adverse possession. You need to consult a real estate lawyer in the county this property is located in to pursue this. It's not automatic that you get ownership for using the property as your own, but it could be the basis for a legal action to make it so.

 

[FarmerJ]

Since it is so small it might be alot cleaner to just offer to buy it from the owner , that size parcel is gonna be too small to build a home on. You might be surprised by trying to go that route , Even if its not buildable the owner has to pay taxes on it. So it wouldnt hurt to just make a offer to buy it. Check your county property tax desk to see what its tax value is listed as , (that would not be a bad place to start since any other route could cost way way more in legal bills) A real estate atty could even handle the transaction for you so it would be done cleanly.

 

[HomeGuru]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Indiana

Since 1973, first my wife's parents then me and my wife, have been maintaining a small lot (20x50) that sits between us and our neighbor that we thought we owned. Our septic finger system was even put in on part of this lot back in the late 70s. Last year we found out that someone else actually owned the lot who didnt even know he owned it.

Since we have been keeping and maintaining this piece of land for over 30 years, do we have any legal claim to ownership?

**A: you may but it appears that you have an unrecorded easement at this point.