Is That Possession Legally Adverse?

To establish a claim of title to real property by adverse possession, a party must demonstrate, by clear and convincing evidence, that the possession was (1) hostile and under claim of right, (2) actual, (3) open and notorious, (4) exclusive, and (5) continuous for the statutory period of 10 years.

Needless to say, each and every element of the formula has developed a unique and discrete body of law – pursuant to which a final disposition is, as often than not, fact-specific.  Several recent examples follow.

Mazzei v. Metropolitan Trans. Auth., 2018 NY Slip Op 06007, App. Div. 2^nd Dept. (September 12, 2018)

Plaintiff sought a judgment against the MTA declaring plaintiff the owner of certain real property by adverse possession.  Supreme Court granted MTA's motion to dismiss the adverse possession claim.