Bruce and Diane are ranchers. Bruce owns the property next to Diane’s property.

Bruce and Diane are ranchers. Bruce owns the property next to Diane’s property. Bruce needs more pasture for his cattle, so he rents five acres of Diane’s ranch for pasture land. This arrangement continues for more than 20 years. Then Diane sells her ranch, and the new owner tells Bruce to stop using the pasture land. Bruce claims ownership of the land by adverse possession. Will his claim succeed if the case goes to court?
A. Yes, Bruce has had actual possession of the land for more than 20 years, so he owns the land under the doctrine of adverse possession.
B. Yes, Bruce will own the pasture land, but he will have to pay rent to Diane’s purchaser.
C. No, Bruce failed to show that he claimed the land adversely to Diane’s interest.
D. No, Bruce has failed to show that the value of the land was equal to the rent.

Solution