How can an owner stop another person from gaining adverse possession over her land?

An owner can effectively prevent another person from gaining adverse possession over their land by either putting up a fence or by giving permission to the other party to use the land.

Establishing a physical barrier, such as a fence, can serve as a clear demarcation of property lines and assert the owner's rights, discouraging potential claims of adverse possession. Adverse possession laws typically require that the possession be open, notorious, exclusive, and hostile, meaning that the possessor is treating the land as their own without permission from the true owner. By erecting a fence, the owner clearly indicates their claim to the property, thereby making it harder for someone to claim possession without permission.

Additionally, if the owner grants permission to another party to use the land, this action negates the "hostility" element that is necessary for adverse possession. When permission is given, the use of the land is not considered adverse or hostile, and thus, the user cannot claim ownership based on adverse possession. This legal principle emphasizes that consent alters the nature of the occupancy.

Therefore, both actions—putting up a fence and granting permission—serve as effective methods to prevent adverse possession, thereby making the choice to use either or both the correct approach.