Adverse possession—sometimes called squatter's rights—occurs when a person or entity who does not own a certain piece of real property occupies or uses it in a way that is adverse to the owner of the property—meaning the use is in conflict or at odds with the property owner’s interests.

If this adverse possession or use of the property meets the legal standard for adverse possession—often described as use that is continuous, exclusive, hostile, open, and notorious—and continues for the prescribed period of time (usually specified in the state statute)—the person or entity adversely possessing or using the property will acquire ownership of the property (title). This ownership will result in the changing of boundary lines.

Because the required adverse possession must be open, obvious, and adverse to the owner’s interests, title may only be acquired by adverse possession to the portion of property that is used in that way.

Adverse possession laws vary from state to state and may be located in a state’s court opinions (also known as common law or case law) or, more often, in its statutes.

In Nevada, adverse possession laws are codified in Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) under Chapter 11. Adverse possession in Nevada requires that the possessor has a claim of right or color of title and that the possession is actual, open and notorious, exclusive, hostile, and continuous for a statutory period. The statutory period in Nevada is typically 15 years, as per NRS 11.070 and 11.150. However, if the adverse possessor pays property taxes on the land during the period of possession, the required period is reduced to 5 years according to NRS 11.160. It's important to note that adverse possession claims can be complex and fact-specific, and an attorney can provide guidance on the likelihood of success in an adverse possession claim and the legal process involved.