Adverse Possession — Squatters Can Get Title

Adverse possession is the legal doctrine that allows a person to claim ownership of land they have openly occupied for a statutory period of time without the owner's permission.

Requirements — OCEAN:

O — Open and notorious (visible; not hidden)

C — Continuous (uninterrupted for the statutory period — typically 5–21 years depending on state)

E — Exclusive (not shared with the true owner)

A — Actual (physical possession and use)

N — Notorious (without owner's permission — hostile to owner's interests)

Why it exists: Encourages productive use of land. Protects people who have relied on land for years. Punishes owners who ignore their property.

Boundary disputes: Most common adverse possession claims involve a fence or driveway that encroaches on a neighbor's land for years.

Preventing adverse possession: Give written permission if you allow someone to use your land. Permission breaks the "hostile" requirement.

Reference:

Wikipedia: Adverse Possession

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adverse_possession