Legal Question in Real Estate Law in Florida

Squatters Rights

A woman I know died, had no will and no heirs and no relatives. She had no representative appointed to handle her estate. Her property sits just as it was before she died. I checked and she has not paid taxes on it for two years. Is there such thing as a Squatters Rights Law in Florida that would allow me to pay the back-taxes, move in, continue to pay the taxes for a set period of years, and ultimately own this property? If so, can you provide the statute and an interpretation?


Asked on 5/20/02, 12:46 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys
Peter Gonzalez Sanchez-Medina, Gonzalez, Quesada, Lage, Crespo, Gomez & MachadoLLP

Re: Squatters Rights

There are no recognized squatter's rights under Florida law that I know of. I do not know what you have done or failed to do to confirm whether the decedent has heirs at law or suriving family members, but it appears that you have an incentive to find none or at least an apparent conflict of interest. Seek the advice of a real estate lawyer in the county where the property is located and good luck.

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Answered on 5/20/02, 1:36 pm
David Slater David P. Slater, Esq.

Re: Squatters Rights

There is no such thing as squatters rights . Adverse possession is covered by Section 95.18 of the Florida Statutes.

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Answered on 5/20/02, 2:38 pm


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