State Law Reference Almanac

Know Your Rights,
State by State

Plain-English summaries of U.S. state laws — researched from primary statutes, updated annually, and written for people who need clear answers.

Squatters Rights by State24 states covered · Updated 2025Lemon Law by State12 states covered · Updated 2025

Squatters Rights by State

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CACalifornia5 yrs adverse possessionTXTexas10 yrs adverse possession · 3 yrs w/ color of titleFLFlorida7 yrs adverse possessionNYNew York10 yrs adverse possessionILIllinois20 yrs adverse possession · 7 yrs w/ color of titleGAGeorgia20 yrs adverse possession · 7 yrs w/ color of titleOHOhio21 yrs adverse possessionNCNorth Carolina20 yrs adverse possession · 7 yrs w/ color of titleMIMichigan15 yrs adverse possessionPAPennsylvania21 yrs adverse possessionAZArizona10 yrs adverse possession · 3 yrs w/ color of titleWAWashington10 yrs adverse possessionCOColorado18 yrs adverse possession · 7 yrs w/ color of titleNVNevada15 yrs adverse possession · 5 yrs w/ color of titleOROregon10 yrs adverse possessionTNTennessee20 yrs adverse possession · 7 yrs w/ color of titleVAVirginia15 yrs adverse possessionNJNew Jersey30 yrs adverse possessionMNMinnesota15 yrs adverse possessionINIndiana10 yrs adverse possession

What Are Squatters Rights?

Squatters rights — formally known as adverse possession — allow a person who occupies another owner's land openly, continuously, and without permission to eventually claim legal ownership after a statutory period. The period varies dramatically by state: from 3 years in Arizona (with color of title and tax payment) to 30 years in New Jersey.

Understanding your state's rules is critical whether you own property or face an eviction situation. The key legal elements — actual possession, open and notorious, exclusive, hostile, and continuous — must all be present throughout the statutory period for an adverse possession claim to succeed.

3 yrsShortest (AZ w/ color of title)
30 yrsLongest (New Jersey)
5 elementsRequired for adverse possession
15+ statesPassed new squatter laws 2023–25
Legal Disclaimer: Information on this site is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws change frequently. Always consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice specific to your situation.

Lemon Law by State

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CACalifornia2 repair attempts or 30 days out of service
18 months / 18,000 mi windowTXTexas4 repair attempts or 30 days out of service
2 years / 24,000 mi windowFLFlorida3 repair attempts or 15 days out of service
2 years / 24,000 mi windowNYNew York4 repair attempts or 30 days out of service
2 years / 18,000 mi windowILIllinois4 repair attempts or 30 days out of service
1 year / 12,000 mi windowPAPennsylvania3 repair attempts or 30 days out of service
1 year / 12,000 mi windowOHOhio1 repair attempts or 30 days out of service
1 year / 18,000 mi windowMIMichigan4 repair attempts or 30 days out of service
1 year / 12,000 mi windowGAGeorgia3 repair attempts or 30 days out of service
2 years / 24,000 mi windowAZArizona4 repair attempts or 30 days out of service
2 years / 24,000 mi windowWAWashington4 repair attempts or 30 days out of service
2 years / 24,000 mi windowNJNew Jersey3 repair attempts or 20 days out of service
2 years / 24,000 mi window

What Is Lemon Law?

Lemon laws protect consumers who purchase or lease a new vehicle that turns out to have a substantial defect that cannot be repaired after a reasonable number of attempts. Every U.S. state has some form of lemon law, but the specifics — number of repair attempts required, coverage window, vehicles covered — differ significantly.

The highest-stakes lemon law jurisdiction is California, where the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act is considered the strongest in the country. Lemon law attorneys in major markets command advertising rates of $700–$1,100 per click — a clear signal of how much value a successful claim can yield for consumers.

2Min repair attempts (CA safety defect)
4Typical repair attempts required
30 daysTypical out-of-service trigger
$700–$1,100Attorney CPC (Google Ads)

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