Does a squatter ever have a legal claim to land?

A squatter legal claim to land is uncommon, but there are some laws which still allow a squatter who goes undisturbed for a number of years to lay legal claim to the land. The legal term used to describe this rare situation is adverse possession.

Adverse Possession

Adverse possession is one way for a property to change ownership. The principle dates back to common law, but it is still the law in some jurisdictions. Through adverse possession - staying on another person's property without any legal right to do so for a specified period of time - a squatter gains rights. The squatter ends up with a right in some form to the property. The exact right gained depends on the circumstances of the adverse possession and the state law for the property location.

Getting Legal Advice

If you have further questions about your rights to land or a squatter's rights to land, you should consult an experienced real estate attorney to find out your rights. Because state laws vary, you will need to find a lawyer who practices in the state on which the land sits in most cases, or you can consult a lawyer in your state if the land is elsewhere as long as the lawyer is willing to research the law in the state in which the property sits.