What is adverse possession?

What is adverse possession?

Howard Gould (Neighbor Law Expert, Finestone & Richter) gives expert video advice on: What are "trespass" and "easement"?; Is trespassing a criminal act? and more...

Adverse possession is a legal theory that allows even a trespasser, to obtain title to someone else's property if they have been using it for a long enough period of time and under the proper circumstances. The theory behind it is that we want property to be put to gainful use and we want it to be used in a way that is beneficial to someone rather than laying without use by some owner who is paying no attention to it. That's why this theory developed to allow even a trespasser to obtain title to someone else's property.