Inherited-land disputes may concern a boundary, co-ownership, or relatives who have different understandings about how the property may be used. Before concluding that a person has acquired land by adverse possession or violated another person’s rights, separate the question of “where is the boundary?” from “who owns the land or has the right to use it?”
Step 1: Check the title and boundary
Gather the original title deed, registration records, attached map, estate agreements or court orders, and evidence of co-ownership. If the boundary is in question, ask the Land Office about a records check or survey. Do not treat a marker or fence installed by one person as conclusive on its own.
Step 2: Record the facts
- Note when use of the area began and why the person entered it.
- Separate any period when use was permitted from periods after an objection or request to leave.
- Collect relevant messages, letters, photographs, receipts, and witness details.
- Record which heirs were involved and whether they made an agreement.
Step 3: Choose a way to resolve the dispute
Start by arranging a discussion with the documents available. If no agreement is possible, ask the Land Office or a lawyer whether a formal letter, negotiation, mediation, or court action is appropriate. The Department of Lands discusses adverse-possession claims in a family context; the outcome depends on the facts and the relevant legal decision.
The linked video discusses personal finance, not land rights or boundary disputes. This article relies on Department of Lands information and keeps the video as a separate reference. Read next: adverse possession involving inherited land and ways to document and protect family land.
Source: Department of Lands: Questions about adverse possession