Pro herede vel pro possessore
(Concerning Possession as Heir or as Possessor.)
1Pomponius, On Sabinus, Book XXXII. Nothing can be acquired by an heir through usucaption out of the property of a person who is living, even though the possessor thought that it belonged to one who is dead.
2Julianus, Digest, Book XLIV. When anyone is placed in possession of an estate for the preservation of a legacy, he does not interrupt the possession of him who acquires by usucaption as heir, for he holds the property for safe-keeping. What then results? He will retain the property by the right of pledge, even after the time required for usucaption has elapsed, and he will not relinquish it until his legacy has been paid to him, or his claim to it has been satisfied. 1The common opinion that no one can change the title of his own possession must be understood to apply, not only to civil, but also to natural possession. Therefore, it has been held that neither a tenant, nor anyone with whom property has been deposited, or lent, can, as heir, acquire it by usucaption, for the purpose of profiting by it. 2Servius denies that a son can, in the capacity of heir, acquire by usucaption property which has been given to him by his father; for he held that natural possession of it was in the hands of the son during the lifetime of his father. The result of this is that, where a son has been appointed heir by his father, he cannot acquire by usucaption any portion of the estate given to him by the former so far as this may affect the shares of his co-heirs.
3Pomponius, On Quintus Mucius, Book XXIII. Many authorities hold that if I am the heir, and think that certain property belongs to the estate, but which really forms no part of it, I can acquire it by usucaption.
4Paulus, On the Lex Julia et Papia, Book V. It is established that he who has a right to make a will can, in the capacity of heir, acquire property by usucaption.