Title - Adv. Poss. & Valid Deed Delivery Flashcards
What is adverse Possession ?
Ownership transferred to a person who exercises exclusive physical poss. of that prop. for a certain amount of time. For poss. to ripen into title, poss. must be:
- Continuous
- Actual
- Open & Notorious
- Hostile and
- Exclusive
Adverse Possession - Continuous
Poss. must be continuous & uninterrupted for a specific period (statutory pd.)
- Seasonal or infrequent use may be enough if it’s consistent with the type of prop. that is being possessed
- Default time pd. = 20 years (common law)
Adverse Possession - Continuous - Tacking
Combines 2 AP periods to meet the statutory pd. requirement, so long as there is privity b/w successive possessors
- there has been a transfer of int. in prop. from one AP to another
- Privity exists if the possessor takes by any non-hostile means
- Periods of poss. must pass directly from one poss. to the next without gaps
- Can’t tack when there is an actual, wrongful exclusion of a party entitled to poss. (ouster)
Adverse Possession - Actual, Open, & Notorious
Actual entry giving exclusive poss. that is open/notorious such that reas. true owner would become aware of the claim
- Uses that are hidden are insufficient to satisfy the requirement
Adverse Possesion - Hostile
- Must possess the land without the owner’s permission AND
- with the intent to claim land against claims of others
Adverse Possession - Exclusive
- Possession can’t be shared with true owner
- two or more ppl can adversely possess as TIC
When can co-tenants adversely possess against another ?
If one co-tenant ousts another for the statutory period
Constructive Adverse Possession
If pers. enters prop. under color of title (facially valid will or deed) & actually possesses only a portion of the prop.
- Constructive AP can give title to the whole
What is color of title ?
When someone believes their title is valid, but it’s not b/c of flaw in deed
What land rights does an AP get?
Whatever rights the owner has that he took them from
- Any encumbrances on the land remain
What is the effect of a disability in regards to the statute of limitations for Adverse Possession?
Disability occurs when the owner is:
- An infant
- Mentally Incompetent
- A prisoner
It tolls the running of the SOL for adverse possession
Up until the time the AP pd. has run, what right does the true owner maintain?
The owner can have the AP ejected off the land & sue for damages
What occurs at the Closing ?
Deed Becomes the Operative Contract - The deed transfers legal title to some interest in prop. from the seller to the buyer
What are the requirements for the deed to become the operative Contract?
- Lawful Execution of the deed
- Delivery of the Deed
- Acceptance by Grantee
What are the elements of a lawfully executed deed?
- Writing Required - deed must be in writing
- Identify the parties
- Words of transfer - any words evidencing present intent to transfer
- Describe the prop. - sufficient description of prop req. but doesn’t need to be perfect (extrinsic eidence admiss.) AND
- Signed by the grantor