The Strip You Have Been Mowing
Wis. Stat. 893.25 — 20 years without a deed, 10 with a recorded one, 7 with the taxes paid
In Wisconsin, uninterrupted adverse possession for the period the statute sets bars an action to recover real estate, and the possessor may bring an action to establish title.
| The possessor | Uninterrupted possession needed |
|---|---|
| The possessorNo written instrument | Uninterrupted possession needed20 years |
| The possessorGood faith entry under a written instrument or judgment recorded within 30 days of entry | Uninterrupted possession needed10 years |
| The possessorThe same, with the conveyance recorded within 30 days and all taxes paid | Uninterrupted possession needed7 years |
What counts without a deed. Actual continued occupation under claim of title, exclusive of any other right, and only to the extent the land is actually occupied and either protected by a substantial enclosure or usually cultivated or improved.
Paths and other uses. Continuous adverse use of rights in another's land for at least 20 years establishes a prescriptive right to continue the use. Mere use of a way over unenclosed land is presumed permissive and not adverse.
The statute sets the time. What kind of possession counts beyond what the statute itself says comes from Wisconsin court decisions, which this page does not quote. Whether a particular strip of land has changed hands, and how to bring or answer an action over it, are questions for a licensed Wisconsin attorney.
Sources for this section (4)
- Wis. Stat. 893.25 — Adverse possession, not founded on written instrument
- Wis. Stat. 893.26 — Adverse possession, founded on recorded written instrument
- Wis. Stat. 893.27 — Adverse possession; founded on recorded title claim and payment of taxes
- Wis. Stat. 893.28 — Prescriptive rights by adverse user
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Wisconsin attorney.