Adverse possession is a legal doctrine through which someone obtains legal title to land by meeting several specific conditions set forth in case law and/or by statute. Here is a good general description of the law: http://www.lectlaw.com/files/lat06.htm As the article says, "A landowner who doesn't keep an eye on his property can lose it." How the elements required to obtain title through adverse possession play out in an individual state like Indiana are the subject of case law. For example, Indiana Code 32-1-20-1 requires that someone claiming title through adverse possession must have paid taxes on the land. The courts have interpreted that somewhat narrowly, though. ----- Original Message ----- From: Lois Mauk <loismauk@home.com> To: <INPCRP-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Saturday, February 02, 2002 9:33 AM Subject: [INPCRP] "Adverse possession" > Do any of you have any knowledge or experience concerning "adverse > possession" with respect to cemeteries? > > Scenario: A cemetery is mentioned in vague terms on an old deed (no metes > and bounds cited, just a reference to its size, etc.). The stones all > vanished decades ago. Now the property is "ripe for development" and the > cemetery location cannot or has not been precised determined. The > developer/property owner now claims ownership via "adverse possession". > > Your thoughts or experience? > > Lois > > > > > ==== INPCRP Mailing List ==== > To UNSUBSCRIBE, send message consisting only of > "UNSUBSCRIBE" to INPCRP-L-REQUEST@rootsweb.com > or to INPCRP-D-REQUEST@rootsweb.com (for DIGEST version) > >