Can a person claim title to vacant land if he has been paying the taxes and upkeep on the property?
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Can a person claim title to vacant land if he has been paying the taxes and upkeep on the property?
My cousin has been paying property taxes and upkeep on vacant land owned by the heirs, who have abandoned the property and have no interest in it. One of the heirs is the mother of the cousin and the others are cousins and aunts. My cousin has been paying the taxes for close to 30 years. Can my cousin claim ownership and how?
Asked on January 2, 2012 under Real Estate Law, Ohio
Answers:
FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
If your cousin has for more than 30 years been paying property taxes on a parcel of proeprty to the exclusion of all others in an open, hostile and under claim of right manner to the exclusion of all other people, your cousin may have obtained title to this vacant land by way of adverse possession.
In order to perfect any claim for adverse possession, your cousin should consult with a real estate attorney about filing an action for declaratory relief and adverse possession of this parcel so that he or she can get a court order declaring ownership by way of adverse possession.
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