What defines a lawful invasion of land through adverse possession?

To establish a lawful invasion of land through adverse possession, continuous and exclusive possession is crucial. Adverse possession refers to a legal doctrine that allows a person to claim ownership of land under specific conditions, including possessing the property in a way that is continuous and exclusive to the possessor for a defined period, as stipulated by state law.

Continuous possession means that the individual must occupy the land without interruption for the statutory period, demonstrating an enduring claim to the property. Exclusive possession indicates that the claimant is the only one using the land, which reinforces their ownership claim and differentiates it from mere permissive use or cohabitation with others.

While other factors, such as improvements to the property or a formal declaration, may support an adverse possession claim, they do not fulfill the essential requirements on their own. Thus, continuous and exclusive possession remains the foundational element that establishes a lawful adverse possession claim.