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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Seventh Legislature, Second Regular Session
forged or fraudulent deeds; exclusion
Purpose
Specifies that in an action to recover a lot in a city or town the lawful owner of the lot is the person who claims ownership based on a recorded deed and who has paid taxes on the lot for at least five years, unless the claim of title is made under a forged deed or a deed executed under a forged power of attorney.
Background
An action to recover a lot located in a city or town from a person having a recorded deed for the lot who claims ownership and has paid the taxes on the lot must be brought within five years after the cause of action accrues, provided that the person against whom the action is brought has claimed ownership and has paid the taxes on the lot for at least five consecutive years preceding the commencement of the action (A.R.S. § 12-524).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Deems a person who claims ownership of a lot in a city or town based on a recorded deed and who has paid taxes on that property for at least five years as the lawful owner in an action to recover the lot, unless that person claims ownership through a forged deed as outlined.
2. Prohibits a person who claims ownership of a lot in a city or town from benefiting from an action to recover the lot, if the person claims title to the lot under a forged deed or a deed executed under a forged power of attorney.
3. Makes technical changes.
4. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Research
February 6, 2026
ZD/KS/ci