Neighbors may testify that the adverse claimant occupied the land for a certain period of time. Affidavits may prove useful to the adverse claimant by establishing the claim as being adverse to that of any other persons.
Puerto Rico Affidavit in Support of Adverse Possessor by Third Party that Property Held Adversely — Squatters Rights: An affidavit is a legal document used to provide a sworn statement of facts or evidence. In Puerto Rico, an Affidavit in Support of Adverse Possessor by Third Party that Property Held Adversely applies to cases where a third party, also known as an adverse possessor, seeks to claim ownership or rights over a property through adverse possession or squatter's rights. Adverse possession refers to a legal principle that allows a person to acquire ownership of a property if they have used and occupied it openly, continuously, and exclusively for a certain period of time. In Puerto Rico, the period of adverse possession is generally twenty (20) years. The Affidavit in Support of Adverse Possessor is a crucial document that helps the adverse possessor establish their claim of ownership through adverse possession. It typically includes the following key details: 1. Claimant Information: The affidavit includes the name, address, contact details, and identification of the third party claiming adverse possession rights. 2. Property Description: A detailed description of the property, including its physical address, boundaries, size, and any additional identifying factors. 3. Adverse Possession Period: The affidavit should state the exact period during which the adverse possessor occupied and used the property without the owner's permission. This period should meet the statutory requirement for adverse possession in Puerto Rico, usually twenty (20) years. 4. Continuous and Exclusive Use: The adverse possessor must provide evidence that they continuously and exclusively occupied the property during the required period. This can include documentation such as utility bills, tax records, photographs, or other supporting materials demonstrating their claim of continuous and exclusive use. 5. Open and Notorious Possession: The affidavit should explain that the adverse possessor openly and notoriously occupied the property, meaning their occupation was visible to the public, and a reasonable property owner would have been aware of it. 6. Good Faith: It is essential for the adverse possessor to demonstrate their good faith in occupying the property. This means they genuinely believed they had a valid claim or right to possess the property, without knowledge of any defect in their claim. 7. No Permission or Consent: The affidavit should clearly state that the adverse possessor occupied the property without the owner's permission or consent, indicating that their possession was adverse. It's important to note that while the basic structure of the Affidavit in Support of Adverse Possessor is consistent, there may be variations within Puerto Rico's legal system. These variations might include different requirements for documentation, additional supporting evidence, or specific language that should be included in the affidavit. Different types of Puerto Rico Affidavits in Support of Adverse Possessor by Third Party that Property Held Adversely might include variations for different property types (e.g., residential, commercial, agricultural), or specialized affidavits for specific circumstances or legal proceedings involving adverse possession rights.
