If a party lives on a property without permission but gains title after a certain period, this is known as what?

The correct answer, which is adverse possession, refers to a legal doctrine allowing a person to claim ownership of land under certain conditions if they have occupied it for a specified period without the permission of the original owner. In most jurisdictions, this period is typically set by statute, often ranging from 5 to 20 years, during which the occupant must demonstrate continuous and exclusive possession of the property, along with an intention to possess it as their own. This doctrine is rooted in the idea that property should be put to productive use and that a property owner who fails to act against trespassers for an extended time may not have a legitimate claim to that property.

To contrast, easement by prescription pertains to acquiring a right to use someone else's property for a specific purpose, but it does not confer ownership of the property itself. Escheat refers to the process by which ownership of property reverts to the state when an individual dies without a will and without heirs, while eminent domain is the government's right to expropriate private property for public use with compensation. The nuances in these terms highlight the distinct legal principles governing property rights and usage, with adverse possession being specifically focused on ownership claims through prolonged unauthorized occupancy.