Define "adverse possession" in real estate.

Adverse possession is a legal doctrine that allows a person to claim ownership of land under certain conditions after occupying it without the permission of the actual owner. In order for someone to successfully claim adverse possession, they typically must demonstrate several key elements: continuous and open possession of the property for a statutory period, the possession must be adverse to the interests of the true owner, and it must be exclusive (not shared with the public or the owner).

This principle is rooted in the idea that land should be utilized and occupied rather than left unattended, providing a mechanism for the transfer of property rights when someone has been using the land as if they were the owner. If these conditions are met, the individual can petition the court for title to the property, effectively gaining legal ownership despite not having originally purchased it or received explicit permission from the rightful owner.