Most people are at least vaguely familiar with the concept of "adverse possession." Adverse possession is a legal doctrine whereby one can gain title to real property from another, without paying for it, by long term occupation. The basis of the law of adverse possession is the idea that all property should be available for beneficial development. Minerals underlying the surface are, in limited circumstances, subject to adverse possession. How adverse possession works is governed by the law of the state in which the land to be adversely possessed exists. The Nevada statute generally is instructive of the type of law commonly found in western states. Nevada law provides a procedure whereby title may pass through a court proceeding to one who by himself, or by himself and his predecessors in interest, has been in actual, exclusive and adverse possession of the property continuously for more than fifteen years, and who has paid ail taxes of every kind levied or assessed and due against the property for five years.
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