Man Lays Claim to McMansion For $16

How would you like to get a mansion for practically free? You can do it, but it probably won't make you too popular with your neighbors.

That's what Kenneth Robinson of Flower Mound, Texas did. When a home on Waterford Drive was abandoned by its owner and went into foreclosure, Robinson came in and claimed the right of "adverse possession." All he had to pay for the house was a $16 filing fee at the local courthouse.

According to expertlaw.com, adverse possession is a real estate law that allows a person who possesses someone else's property for a certain amount of time to claim legal title to that property.  The original owner of the property can fight the action, but since this house was abandoned, it seems highly unlikely that will happen.

I've never heard of this law before I came across this story, but I don't like it. Sure, he has a legal right to it, but just because you have the right doesn't mean it's right.  I agree with Robinson's new "neighbors," on this one; if he wants the house, he ought to pay for it like everybody else.