Adverse Possession refers to the legal process of obtaining property ownership through recognition of long-standing occupation and use. Often, adverse possession is used to “clear” a land title against a competing claim of ownership. The laws governing adverse possession are found at Sections 78B-2-208 to -219 of the Utah Code. “Adverse” usually means contrary to another person’s claim or interest in the property. If one person can claim title to land, but does not use or occupy it, another person may establish an ownership claim by actually using or occupying it, and paying taxes.