Can you claim land that is not yours?

Answer 1

No you can not claim land that is not yours. you could get in big trouble.You could maybe even start wars or fights if you do claim somebody else's land as yours. Lots of people could die and that would be very bad.

Answer 2

Even when it seems that land has "no deeds" it still may have owners. Generally, there are several reasons it may seem that land has no deeds and they all have to do with missing probates. The following are some reasons there may be no modern deeds:

• The land was acquired in the 1800s by someone who didn't make it as a farmer and simply abandoned the property. Their are cases in which young Europeans came to America, bought land, couldn't make a living and then returned to Europe without selling the land or transferring the title.
• The land was acquired long ago and has remained in the same family group with title descending by inheritance. In some cases the descendants eventually lost track of their ownership of the land.
• The land was acquired a long time ago by a farmer or speculator or early developer who owned numerous properties. When they died the family didn't know they owned the property and so the land was forgotten.

In all those cases, extensive (and expensive) title research must be performed by a professional title examiner with special skills and experience in researching archival land and probate records. The status of the title can usually be determined. If not, the land can be designated as "owner unknown" after a diligent search fails to find the original owner. This type of land is not uncommon. Many municipalities have been sitting on numerous "owner unknown" properties for decades because doing the necessary title research is so costly. That has made the research even more costly and difficult.

Once the status of the title has been determined the town must initiate a tax taking procedure for non-payment of property taxes. The town can take title by that procedure. A court decree will eventually vest title in the town. The land can then be purchased from the town.