Opinion ID: 1668078
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: adverse possession by prescription

Text: In addressing the types of adverse possession presently recognized in Alabama, this Court stated the following: In Alabama there are basically two types of adverse possession, these two types being statutory adverse possession and adverse possession by prescription. Adverse possession by prescription requires actual, exclusive, open, notorious and hostile possession under a claim of right for a period of twenty years. See, Fitts v. Alexander, 277 Ala. 372, 170 So.2d 808 (1965). Statutory adverse possession requires the same elements, but the statute provides further that if the adverse possessor holds under color of title, has paid taxes for ten years, or derives his title by descent cast or devise from a possessor, he may acquire title in ten years, as opposed to the twenty years required for adverse possession by prescription. Code 1975, § 6-5-200. See, Long v. Ladd, 273 Ala. 410, 142 So.2d 660 (1962). Kerlin v. Tensaw Land & Timber Co., 390 So.2d 616, 618 (Ala.1980). (Emphasis added.) In Alabama, the common-law doctrine of adverse possession by prescription acts as a rule of absolute repose, since a lapse of 20 years, during which time there has been continuous adverse possession, is considered a sufficient period for the recognition of rights based on adverse possession. In addressing the wisdom underlying the absolute presumption of title that arises through the operation of adverse possession by prescription, Justice Harwood stated: The very term prescription is derived from `Praescriptio' meaning a pre-scribing or former writing, and presupposes a lost grant. Further, the presumption rests not only on the supposition of a lost grant, but on the higher ground that it `conduces to the peace of society, and relieves courts from the necessity of adjudicating rights so obscured by the lapse of time and the accidents of life, that the attainment of truth and justice is next to impossible,' Harrison et al. v. Heflin et al., 54 Ala. 552, and the presumption created by prescription precludes judicial inquiry in a title so acquired. Findlay v. Hardwick, 230 Ala. 197, 160 So. 336. Lay v. Phillips, 276 Ala. 273, 277, 161 So.2d 477, 480 (1964). See also Fitts v. Alexander, 277 Ala. 372, 170 So.2d 808 (1965); Howard v. Harrell, 275 Ala. 454, 156 So.2d 140 (1963); Morris v. Yancey, 267 Ala. 657, 104 So.2d 553 (1958). A party claiming title to property through adverse possession by prescription must satisfy each of the following elements: 1) The party must actually possess the property, 2) the party's possession must be exclusive, 3) the party's possession must be open and notorious, 4) the party's possession must be hostile and under a claim of right, and 5) the party's possession must be continuous for a period of 20 years. See Daugherty v. Miller, 549 So.2d 65 (Ala.1989); Hayden v. Robinson, 472 So.2d 606 (Ala.1985); Fitts v. Alexander, 277 Ala. 372, 170 So.2d 808 (1965).