Adverse Possession Guides & Stories | By State
Complete State-by-State Squatters Rights Reference
Each state has unique laws regarding adverse possession (squatters rights). Click on any state guide to access our comprehensive guide or explore real-life squatters rights stories that show these laws in action.
| State | Required Years | State Guide | Stories |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northeast States | |||
| Connecticut | 15 years | Guide | Stories |
| Maine | 20 years | Guide | Stories |
| Massachusetts | 20 years | Guide | Stories |
| New Hampshire | 20 years | Guide | Stories |
| New Jersey | 30 years / 60 years* | Guide | Stories |
| New York | 10 years | Guide | Stories |
| Pennsylvania | 21 years | Guide | Stories |
| Rhode Island | 10 years | Guide | Stories |
| Vermont | 15 years | Guide | Stories |
| Midwest States | |||
| Illinois | 20 years | Guide | Stories |
| Indiana | 10 years | Guide | Stories |
| Iowa | 10 years | Guide | Stories |
| Kansas | 15 years | Guide | Stories |
| Michigan | 15 years | Guide | Stories |
| Minnesota | 15 years | Guide | Stories |
| Missouri | 10 years | Guide | Stories |
| Nebraska | 10 years | Guide | Stories |
| North Dakota | 20 years | Guide | Stories |
| Ohio | 21 years | Guide | Stories |
| South Dakota | 20 years | Guide | Stories |
| Wisconsin | 20 years | Guide | Stories |
| Southern States | |||
| Alabama | 10 years / 20 years* | Guide | Stories |
| Arkansas | 7 years / 15 years* | Guide | Stories |
| Delaware | 20 years | Guide | Stories |
| Florida | 7 years | Guide | Stories |
| Georgia | 7 years / 20 years* | Guide | Stories |
| Kentucky | 15 years | Guide | Stories |
| Louisiana | 10 years / 30 years* | Guide | Stories |
| Maryland | 20 years | Guide | Stories |
| Mississippi | 10 years | Guide | Stories |
| North Carolina | 20 years / 7 years* | Guide | Stories |
| Oklahoma | 15 years | Guide | Stories |
| South Carolina | 10 years | Guide | Stories |
| Tennessee | 7 years / 20 years* | Guide | Stories |
| Texas | 10 years | Guide | Stories |
| Virginia | 15 years | Guide | Stories |
| West Virginia | 10 years | Guide | Stories |
| Western States | |||
| Alaska | 10 years | Guide | Stories |
| Arizona | 10 years | Guide | Stories |
| California | 5 years | Guide | Stories |
| Colorado | 18 years / 7 years* | Guide | Stories |
| Hawaii | 20 years | Guide | Stories |
| Idaho | 20 years / 5 years* | Guide | Stories |
| Montana | 5 years | Guide | Stories |
| Nevada | 5 years | Guide | Stories |
| New Mexico | 10 years | Guide | Stories |
| Oregon | 10 years | Guide | Stories |
| Utah | 7 years | Guide | Stories |
| Washington | 10 years | Guide | Stories |
| Wyoming | 10 years | Guide | Stories |
* Varies based on circumstances like color of title or tax payment. Refer to state guide for details.
The OCEAN Requirements for Adverse Possession
For a squatter to successfully claim ownership through adverse possession, they typically must meet all these requirements:
- Open - The occupation must be visible and not hidden
- Continuous - The occupation must be uninterrupted for the statutory period
- Exclusive - The squatter must possess the property exclusively
- Adverse - The occupation must be without the owner's permission
- Notorious - The occupation must be widely known or obvious
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