Which method allows acquiring title to real property through possession for a statutory period under certain conditions?

The method that enables an individual to acquire title to real property through possession for a specific statutory period, under certain conditions, is known as adverse possession. This legal doctrine allows someone who possesses a property in a manner inconsistent with the true owner's rights to eventually gain legal title to that property, provided they meet certain criteria, such as continuous and open possession for a designated period.

In adverse possession cases, the individual must possess the property in a way that is not secretive, and it must be exclusive, meaning they are the only ones using it. Additionally, the possession must be hostile, indicating that it is without permission from the true owner, and the individual must have a claim that is actual and visible. If these requirements are met for the period defined by state law (which varies and can be as long as 5 to 15 years in different jurisdictions), the possessor can file a claim in court to obtain legal title.

This concept serves as a means to resolve disputes over land and can encourage the productive use of property that may otherwise be neglected. Other methods mentioned, such as land grants or easement by necessity, do not relate to this legal mechanism for acquiring property, while prescription would refer to acquiring rights to use someone else's property