Under the doctrine of adverse possession, the holder acquires the title to another person’s landed property without payment of any compensation by virtue of continuous uninterrupted possession of the same publicly for a minimum specified period of time. Such possession must not only be hostile to the true owner but also be without challenge or without leave from such lawful owner for the minimum statutory period prescribed.
For adverse possession to mature into title, many states or jurisdictions require in addition to the above that not only the adverse possessor should effect improvements to the landed property in question but also make payment of property taxes for a minimum specified period of time. Ultimately the possessor has to file for title with the county recorder.
However, there will be no adverse possession in case the possessor is holding the property under permissive occupation from the true owner.
The true owner can challenge such title by adverse possession within a limited period of time on the ground of disability such as advancing age, mental instability or imprisonment and so on.
(More http://www.state.wv.us/WVSCA/jury/adverse.htm)
