Legal Question in Real Estate Law in Wisconsin

No, you will have no legal rights to this land, unless you timely file and win a lawsuit for adverse possession, or unless your right of first refusal was notarized and properly recorded with the register of deeds prior to the recent sale by the son-in-law. There are numerous complex elements to adverse possession, some of which are inconsistent with the fact situation which you allege here, since it appears to have been a consensual arrangement with the owner. Adverse possession, however, can only succeed within a legally "hostile" environment. You may, however, also wish to explore compensation for your time and efforts in maintaining the property, under various legal theories including unjust enrichment.

Answering this question does not make me your attorney, but you can post comments here for clarifications, etc. You can also see past answers to similar questions on AVVO , or see over fifteen years of past answers at http://www.avvo.com/attorneys/53401-wi-jay-nixon-1529181/answers.html?sort=recency . See 15 years of past answers at http://www.lawguru.com/answers/attorney_control_panel/answered. Answers may contain attorney advertising materials..