Nebraska Squatters Rights and Adverse Possession

Neb. Rev. Stat. 25-202 provides that an action to recover title or possession of land 'can only be brought within ten years after the cause of action accrues.' A squatter who satisfies the common-law elements (actual, continuous, exclusive, open and notorious, and hostile possession under a claim of ownership) for the full 10 years may acquire title; otherwise the owner may sue to recover possession. The statute exempts public roads, streets, and alleys held by counties, cities, villages, and other municipal and public bodies, against which no adverse-possession limitation runs. A holdover tenant or trespasser without that long, continuous possession has no ownership claim and is removed through the courts.

An owner recovers possession through an action to quiet title or eject the occupant. A trespasser may also face criminal trespass charges; mere occupation short of the full 10-year statutory period confers no rights.