{"id":373616,"date":"2016-03-31T21:35:24","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:35:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/louisiana-law\/louisiana-adverse-possession-laws.html"},"modified":"2016-06-20T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2016-06-20T05:00:00","slug":"louisiana-adverse-possession-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/louisiana-law\/louisiana-adverse-possession-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Louisiana Adverse Possession Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Louisiana Adverse Possession Laws<\/h1>\n
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Created by FindLaw’s team<\/a> of legal writers and editors<\/i><\/p>\n\n | Last updated\n

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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

It\u2019s a little-known and rarely-used area of law, but the legal concept known as \u201cadverse possession\u201d can have a big impact on land ownership. Essentially, if a person continually trespasses for a certain amount of time, he or she may gain a right of ownership or pass-through. So how does the Bayou State handle adverse possession cases, and how can you protect your property? Here is a brief overview of adverse possession laws in Louisiana.<\/p>\r\n

Adverse Possession Laws in General<\/h2>\r\n

Though many people have never heard of it, the idea of "adverse possession<\/a>" is a fairly old legal doctrine. In order encourage landowners to make beneficial use of their land, trespassers are allowed to gain legal title to property if they openly inhabit and improve the property for a specified amount of time. Under Louisiana law, an individual must occupy property for at least 10 years before the possibility of ownership.<\/p>\r\n

Adverse Possession in Louisiana<\/h2>\r\n

The basics of adverse possession laws in Louisiana are listed below.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Code Section<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

Louisiana Civil Code 3473, et seq.<\/a>: Prescription of Ten Years<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Time Period Required for Occupation<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

10 yrs.and Color of Title: 10 yrs.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Time for Landowner to Challenge\/Effect of Landowner’s Disability<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

–<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Improvements<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

–<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Payment of Taxes<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

–<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Title from Tax Assessor<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

–<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\r\n

Before you get too worried about trespassers taking your land, or too excited to take someone else\u2019s, adverse possession requires four additional elements:<\/p>\r\n