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Squatter Lives in $2.5M Mansion Citing ‘Adverse Possession’ Law

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    Attorney Mila Schwartzreich on a man who tried to use the “adverse possession” law to live in a mansion in Florida.

  • Duration 4:40
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-- -- -- -- -- Barbara says that 23 year old Brazilian national he could safely say he has one of the nicest pads on the block he is living the good life.

In this seven 500 square foot five bedroom six bathroom.

Waterfront mansion -- 2.5 million dollars wasn't as it's not really kids he -- squatting in this palatial home.

Which is -- it because it was foreclosed upon last summer we could hardly believe the story when we heard it here to break it all that offer some tips.

This -- happen to your -- in your neighborhood.

Yes -- like she's General Counsel at the Broward can be property appraisers office in Florida -- They asked for joining us I mean this all predicated Arnold block called adverse possession -- this -- -- about.

Didn't -- the adverse possession live dates back to English common law and back then and the purpose was.

For people to take vacant pieces of land to cultivate them.

To farm it to improve the land I cannot imagine.

They.

Anything like this was ever and the thought -- fell to take that two and a half million dollar home my colleague Euronet absolutely not so let's.

You get what he did just because I don't know maybe I wanna do -- a pretty fabulous house.

So this is a house that you know -- it was foreclosed upon by Bank of America.

Back in July and we think this guy showed up and he moved -- and he just started living in this fantastic may have -- July 2012.

Eight will be saw him go in the front -- so apparently.

He can't be prosecuted for breaking and entering he's been leaving their police showed up because neighbors realize there is somebody living there.

Police showed up -- he had a document.

That said that he was living there under the adverse possession lie and that he was a squatter and they didn't remove him what I do understand us.

Melissa -- -- document that was presented -- an adverse possession form.

All of -- person has to do under Florida law is still out the form.

And that all -- -- -- Haven't motorized and they have to submit it.

To the property appraisers office in the county in -- that the home is domicile here where we are on our -- we get these forms all the time.

But they'll form itself on -- face.

Says it it has no legal enforceable -- movies and maybe they'll have got up -- it couldn't read I'm not sure.

But there just yet this -- yeah I don't can't -- America owns the house.

So why don't -- go get the police and show up in say get out.

Is it when I think it's Alicia.

And that's completely the solution of the problem in many situations like this when it's a bank when it's not an actual person there many states away.

Whatever division is handling the actual foreclosure of this property.

As far far away they don't know -- there.

And now that they've been informed.

They're taking legal action but the owner.

Property yeah owns that property and they own half property even while one of these forms as filed the we have it here in Broward County all the time.

Now the interesting thing is the law also says.

-- isn't the property owner pays that -- basis.

For an -- year.

After this form is far killed the property appraisers office must we move the form from a record so that -- -- and in Broward County currently we have nineteen.

Active cases yeah -- -- have been filed against property Melissa I had some segment.

This month and again I don't know that I want it could be even more -- People hear about this I mean if he didn't somehow managed to save a house -- seven years as his argument it would be his house and other places like Arizona.

-- -- have to stay there for two years and and it's -- and with so many foreclosed properties.

I think people are gonna look into this -- before they -- let me get -- To weigh in on our money meter at a cheap at a scaled want to money what do you think are his chances that he's gonna be able to stay in this house and keep -- -- All one animal -- -- if -- mining and negative number.

It could be negative hydrate him my name have to pay the property taxes and they have to pay any outstanding lien on the property OK Humphrey yes you know for any -- -- -- -- -- -- elaborate tax in this house by the -- -- 40000 dollars -- -- next door -- -- -- -- anyway.

So there's a lot going on here.

Thank you so much for coming on -- show we appreciate it.

Thanks Melissa so.