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Adverse Possession Laws in Michigan

In Michigan, an action to recover land is barred after 15 years in most cases, with 5 years for certain court or sheriff deeds and 10 years for tax deeds.

Last checked . General information, not legal advice.

Michigan at a glance

Standard period
15 years
With color of title
5 to 10 years for certain deeds
5 years under deeds from executor, administrator, guardian, sheriff or court-ordered sales; 10 years under a state or federal tax deed.
Property taxes required
No
The statute sets no property tax payment requirement.

Sources

Last checked

The rules in Michigan

How many years of possession are required for adverse possession in Michigan?

Standard period in Michigan: 15 years.

Is the adverse possession period shorter with color of title in Michigan?

With color of title in Michigan: 5 to 10 years for certain deeds. 5 years under deeds from executor, administrator, guardian, sheriff or court-ordered sales; 10 years under a state or federal tax deed.

Does the occupant have to pay property taxes to claim adverse possession in Michigan?

No. Property taxes required in Michigan: no. The statute sets no property tax payment requirement.

Where do the Michigan adverse possession laws come from?

The rules above come from MCL 600.5801. Each source is linked on this page. We last checked them in October 2026.

Good to know

When title is claimed through a will, the period is 15 years after probate of the will in Michigan.

What this means in practice

Courts usually require possession that is actual, open, continuous, exclusive and hostile (without the owner's permission) for the full statutory period. The person claiming the land generally has to prove each element, and courts read these requirements strictly.

Owners can protect themselves by inspecting vacant or rural land regularly, keeping boundary lines marked, and responding quickly to fences, buildings or other uses that cross the line. Written permission, such as a simple license or lease, can make a neighbor's use permissive instead of hostile.

Adverse possession does not usually transfer title automatically. The occupant often needs a court judgment, such as in a quiet title action, before the new ownership can be recorded. Boundary disputes between neighbors are often settled with a survey and a recorded deed instead of a lawsuit.

General information, not legal advice. Laws change, and cities can add their own rules, so check the current statute before you rely on it.