Adverse possession in Wisconsin
In Wisconsin, uninterrupted adverse possession for 20 years bars an action to recover real estate (Wis. Stat. 893.25).
How long it takes in Wisconsin
When possession is founded on a recorded written instrument, the period is 10 years (Wis. Stat. 893.26).
With a recorded title claim and payment of real estate taxes, the period is 7 years (Wis. Stat. 893.27).
Source: WI twenty years
What the statute requires
Possession must be actual continued occupation under claim of title, and only land protected by a substantial enclosure or usually cultivated or improved counts (Wis. Stat. 893.25).
Land and people the clock does not run against
Real property of the state or a city, village, town, county, school district or other unit of government generally cannot be obtained by adverse possession (Wis. Stat. 893.29).
Source: WI government land
Fences and boundary lines
Occupation lines a court declares to be property lines by adverse possession must be described by a retraceable description, by court order (Wis. Stat. 893.24).
Source: WI retraceable description
Common questions
How many years for adverse possession in Wisconsin?
In Wisconsin, uninterrupted adverse possession for 20 years bars an action to recover real estate (Wis. Stat. 893.25).