Texas Surveyors Practice Exam

Which statement characterizes the Ten Year Statute in relation to adjacent tract claims?

1. A title to the claimed property is essential

2. No title is required as long as a claim exists for an adjacent tract

3. The claimant must have lived on the property for ten years

4. The claimant must pay taxes for the claimed tract

The correct answer is: No title is required as long as a claim exists for an adjacent tract

The Ten Year Statute, often referred to in the context of adverse possession, allows a claimant to gain legal title to a property if specific conditions are met over a period of ten years. In the case of claims involving adjacent tracts, the statute stipulates that no formal title is necessary. This means that as long as the claimant has a valid claim to the adjacent tract, they can assert their rights without needing to possess documented ownership of the property in question. This characteristic is significant because it acknowledges that occupancy and usage can create a legitimate claim to property rights, even in the absence of formal title documents. It emphasizes the legal principles surrounding possession and the importance of asserting claims over a sustained duration, regardless of the claimant’s ownership status. In contrast, other statements refer to requirements such as having a title, living on the property for a certain duration, or paying taxes for the claimed tract. While these might influence other aspects of property claims, they are not essential elements under the Ten Year Statute when it pertains to adjacent tract claims specifically. Thus, the absence of a title in claiming adjacent tracts is a crucial aspect of understanding how the statute applies in practice.