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we purchased property next door to us divided by a driveway shared by us and the owner...later we discovered that the title indicated the west side of the property begin 8 feet east of the section line not at the driveway as we had assumed for the last 50 years. a third party entered into the picture when they purchased a quit claim deed to the 8 ft. strip to use as leverage to force a land trade for another piece of property. do we have any recourse

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Status: Closed Value: $40

Hello and thank you for allowing me to address your legal question.

If you, or the person you bought the land from, has been using that 8 foot strip as your own for the last 50 years, then there is a good chance you can claim ownership by adverse possession.

What state are you in, and who did the third party buy the quitclaim deed from?

Thank you.

DISCLAIMER: My post is intended as general information only, and should neither be construed as specific legal advice, nor as an adequate substitute for the retention of legal counsel.

i live in illinois - this person who bought the 8 ft. strip purchased it from power of atty of the elderly owner four years after we purchased what we thought was entire house and yard

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th 8 ft. strip of land appeared to be part of the property which was owned by an elderly lady. it had never been owned by anyone and when one looked at the aerial maps which are not legal docuements but indicate property lines there is no indication there is a separate 8 ft. strip. my elderly neighbor always mowed it and used it. at public auction no mention was made of an 8 ft. strip in the middle of the yard. therefore, we assumed we purchased it till we got the notice of a quit claim deed being sold to the neighbor on the other side

Oh, you bought the land at public auction. That explains the lack of info. Unfortunately, it doesn't sound like you have any recourse.

DISCLAIMER: My post is intended as general information only, and should neither be construed as specific legal advice, nor as an adequate substitute for the retention of legal counsel.

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