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A Case Summary: Wells V. Wells

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Issue
Whether the homeless possessor has the legal right to any portion the landowner’s property, if he has paid taxes for the last thirteen years, file a return and has protected the property by substantial enclosure. Whether the homeless possessor has the right to any part of the two acres in disputed despite the fact that the registered owner has consciously, and willingly permitted him to stay in the property.
Statement of Facts
Our client Ms. Heather Palmer (“Ms. Palmer”) came to our office seeking advice from us on whether Mr. Jonah Wells (“Mr. Wells”) has any legal rights to any portion of Whiteacre under Florida’s adverse possession doctrine. She also would like to know whether she is within her legal rights to compel Mr. Wells to leave …show more content…

It is essential to a finding of adverse possession that the possessor’s use not be permissive. Actual use is presumed permissive and the possessor has to demonstrate this possession was without permission. Candler Holdings Ltd I v. Watch Omega Holdings, L.P, 947 So. 2d 1231 1234 (Fla. 1st DCA 2007).
In this case, Mr. Wells may be able to prove in regards to the quarter of acre where the barn is located, that the possession was actual, continued, uninterrupted, open and notorious. He may even prove hostile. However; Mr. Wells has to prove the possession was exclusive and inconsistent with the use and enjoyment of the owner land. For acres four and five, Mr. Wells have to demonstrate the same element and also that the possession was adverse instead of a permissive …show more content…

Wells enclosed the quarter of acre occupied by the barn and where he conducts all his activities. Also, Mr. Wells made sure to put a fence around acres four and five, which remained intact in the east, west and north side of the acres. While in the south side the fence was discontinue, this has a dry gully which make a natural barrier, which constituted a demarcation of the property. Grant v. Strickland, 385 So. 2d 1123, 1125 (Fla. 2d DCA 1980). Sun Valley Road also represent a demarcation of the property on the south side. Common law also includes other barriers, both natural and manmade. Id. at 1127. There can be also gaps in the enclosure, such interruptions however do not dissipate the substantial character for the enclosure so long as there was for the full statutory period a conspicuous effort to maintain a fence around the land, and this was the case with Mr. Wells. Grant, 385 So. 2d 1123, 1125. Whether or not there was sufficient enclosure is a question for the trier of fact. Yates v. Bass Ranch, Inc., 379 So.2d 710, 712 (1980). Mr. Wells never cultivated the land, or improved it in a usual manner. Nonetheless, he performed limited maintenance on the

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