Opinion ID: 1857084
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Whether the Robertsons Adversely Possessed the Property under Section 15-1-7 of the Mississippi Code.

Text: Numerous authorities state that in order to establish adverse possession of real property, the claimant must prove by clear and convincing evidence that his possession was: (1) under claim of ownership; (2) actual or hostile; (3) open, notorious, and visible; (4) continuous and uninterrupted for a period of ten years; (5) exclusive; and (6) peaceful. Thornhill v. Caroline Hunt Trust Estate, 594 So.2d 1150, 1152-53 (Miss. 1992) (citations omitted). The Robertsons' uncontradicted testimony established that Mr. Robertson (1) cleared the land and planted grass on it; (2) grazed cattle on the land; (3) repaired damage to the property caused by Hurricane Camille; (4) built a fish pond on the property upon acquiring it and repaired it when the dam broke; (5) paid taxes since 1972, except for the years 1984 and 1991; and (6) frequently visited the property and made other improvements to it. Moreover, Dombroski admitted that he had only paid taxes on the property for two years since the conveyance to him. Dombroski was also aware that grass was planted and cattle were grazed on the pastures. Dombroski submits that these acts were not enough to raise the flag of adverse possession. We respectfully disagree. The facts of this case are similar to Roy v. Kayser, 501 So.2d 1110 (Miss. 1987), where the [adverse possessors] maintained the fence, planted a garden, raised crops, pastured cattle, and cut timber upon their holdings. Roy v. Kayser , at 1112. Such acts were sufficient to fly the flag over the land and put the true owner upon notice that his land was held under an adverse claim of ownership. Id. (citations omitted). In this case, the acts of adverse possession occurred prior to the vesting of record title in Dombroski and were sufficient to put him and his predecessors on notice of the adverse claim.