Legal Question in Real Estate Law in Maine

land

i was wondering there is a piece of land near our house the man who ownes it lives in canada. we have been keeping the land clean for almost 15 years if we didn't keep it clean there would be trees and long grass. we have a business so we keep it clean to make our business look good. what i was wondering is is there a law that we could get the land for the price of the taxes since we clean up the land. it's 170x180 he can't put anything on it and he never comes to see it. all he keeps it for is so he can get social security on the u.s &canada side i think it's wrong. is there a way we can get the land for keeping it clean all these years. he does pay the taxes every year.


Asked on 5/09/03, 1:12 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Jerome Gamache Ainsworth Thelin & Raftice, P.A.

Re: land

Your question is one that likely requires more analysis and review of the facts that an email will permit, and you should contact a local attorney to discuss options for possible acquisition of the property.

However,in general terms, it is possible for someone to acquire real estate that they do not have a deeded interest in by exercising certain rights over the land for a period of at least 20 years. The factors that go into the analysis of the legal doctrine of "adverse possession" are beyond the scope of this email, but in theory, it is possible, although difficult, to obtain title in this manner. Ultimately a legal proceeding would need to be commenced and a ruling obtained from the Judge.

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Answered on 5/13/03, 8:14 am


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