Lyle, I think the proper term is "open, hostile and notorious." Judge Judy
had a case study about her own property about this very topic a few ago! I
can't recall off-hand how many years once has to be in open, hostile and
notorious possession before they can assert adverse possession.


On Sat, Mar 29, 2014 at 10:37 AM, Lyle E. Browning <[log in to unmask]>wrote:

> Today, adverse possession must be "open and notorious" for a number of
> years before the subject land is adjudicated in court. In researching the
> Town of Beverley/Westham just west of Richmond in Henrico, towards the end
> of its existence early in the 19th century, it appears that Thomas Taylor
> tried such a move against Thomas Jefferson who reminded that worthy that TJ
> had the original deed and was not of any mind to allow Taylor to take the
> property.
>
> How long has the present system been in place? And if different in the
> late 18th to early 19th century, would the documents appear as deeds or in
> chancery suits or where?
>
> Thanks in advance,
>
> Lyle Browning
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