Adverse Possession in Missouri
State-specific overview · Property & Real Estate
Missouri requires 10 years of adverse possession, with property tax payment required throughout the period.
How Missouri treats Adverse Possession
Missouri law establishes a 10-year adverse possession period, during which the claimant must openly, exclusively, and continuously occupy the property without the owner's permission. Payment of property taxes on the land for the entire 10-year period is mandatory; the statute explicitly requires that taxes be paid to establish a valid claim. The possession must be actual, visible, and exclusive, meaning the adverse possessor uses the land to the exclusion of the true owner. Missouri courts focus on whether a reasonable owner would have discovered the occupation, rather than on the possessor's subjective intent.
The general definition of Adverse Possession
Gaining legal ownership of land by occupying it openly and continuously for a set period.
If someone uses another person's land openly, without permission, and continuously for many years (typically 7–21 years depending on the state), they may eventually become the legal owner. The original owner must not have stopped them during that time. This doctrine rewards people who improve and maintain land while punishing owners who abandon or ignore their property.
Read the full Adverse Possession entry →This page is a plain-English reference and is not legal advice. State laws change frequently. For specific situations consult a licensed attorney in Missouri.