It's Adverse Possession, but the law differs from state to state - most states have a statute of 15 to 18 years of unimpeded access grants the "user" of the land the right to claim ownership.
It's pretty easy to get around if you file a claim every three years or so with the county clerk that at no time have you allowed anyone use of the land - it restarts that clock.
But it's also complicated. AND expensive.
19 posted on 08/21/2010 1:42:27 PM PDT by NorCoGOP
(OBAMA: Living proof that hope is not a plan.)