property

tacking

Tacking is the combining of successive periods of possession by different people to meet the time required for adverse possession or a prescriptive easement. It is generally allowed only when there is privity between the possessors, such as a sale, gift, or inheritance from one to the next, and the possession is continuous. Required time periods and other conditions for adverse possession vary by state.

Exam tip
Tacking requires a connection (privity) between successive possessors; unrelated trespassers cannot combine their time.
Example
In a state requiring 20 years, A openly occupies a strip of land for 12 years, then sells his home to B, who occupies it for 8 more; B may tack to reach 20 years.

Related terms & state variants

Sources

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Last verified: 2026-10-23