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Adverse possession is a legal doctrine that allows a trespasser to gain legal title over property, thereby replacing its true owner, so long as certain elements are met. In order to gain legal title over property through the doctrine of adverse possession, a party must prove that his or her possession of the land was: (1) Continuous; (2) Hostile; (3) Actual; (4) Open, notorious, and exclusive; and (5) Under claim of title inconsistent with that of the true owner for a period of 20 years. See Tapley v. Peterson, 141 Ill.App.3d 401, 405 (1986). Each of the five aforementioned elements must exist concurrently for the full 20-year period for the doctrine of adverse possession to be applied. Ad
