Legal Question in Real Estate Law in Georgia
My brother has found a recently vacant house in Georgia. The bank just took possession of it in late January to mid February 2013. He is thinking of moving in it as a squatter or taking adverse possession. Will he get in any trouble doing this or can he possibly get away with this? What can the bank do to him? If he tries to battle this out, how long can he possibly stay in this house? Is it true possession is 9/10ths the law? What is the ideal way for my brother to squat and get away with it? When he moves in does he immediately file for adverse possession or wait?
3 Answers from Attorneys
Yes, all those ideas are ridiculous. It is called trespassing, and it will almost always end up with an arrest. If free housing is what he wants, jail could be it. Perhaps your brother should consider being a productive member of society, getting a job, and paying his own way.
Stop getting your legal advice from the local news. Among other elements, adverse possession takes seven years.
The consequence will likely be his incarceration. At best it's criminal trespass and at worst it's burglary.
As for your brother: please get him some mental health help, and please stop helping him to get himself arrested.