# Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.5821: Recovery of land or public ground; period of limitations; personal actions; maintenance, care, and treatment of persons in state institutions

> Michigan · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MI_C600_AAct-236-of-1961_S600.5821

## Section

- **Citation:** Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.5821
- **Heading:** Recovery of land or public ground; period of limitations; personal actions; maintenance, care, and treatment of persons in state institutions
- **Jurisdiction:** Michigan
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** MI Code / Chapter 600 / Act Act-236-of-1961 / Section 600.5821

## Text

Sec. 5821.

(1) An action for the recovery of any land to which this state is a party is not subject to the periods of limitations, or laches. However, a person who could have asserted claim to title by adverse possession for more than 15 years is entitled to seek any other equitable relief in an action to determine title to the land.

(2) In an action involving the recovery or the possession of land, including a public highway, street, alley, easement, or other public ground, a municipal corporation, political subdivision of this state, or county road commission is not subject to any of the following:

(a) The periods of limitations under this act.

(b) Laches.

(c) A claim for adverse possession, acquiescence for the statutory period, or a prescriptive easement.

(3) The periods of limitations prescribed for personal actions apply equally to personal actions brought in the name of the people of this state, in the name of any officer of this state, or otherwise for the benefit of this state, subject to the exceptions contained in subsection (4).

(4) Actions brought in the name of this state, the people of this state, or any political subdivision of this state, or in the name of any officer or otherwise for the benefit of this state or a political subdivision of this state for the recovery of the cost of maintenance, care, and treatment of persons in hospitals, homes, schools, and other state institutions are not subject to the statute of limitations and may be brought at any time without limitation, notwithstanding any contrary provisions of a statute.

History: 1961, Act 236, Eff. Jan. 1, 1963; Am. 1988, Act 35, Eff. Mar. 1, 1988; Am. 2016, Act 52, Eff. June 20, 2016

## Nearby sections

- [Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.102 Construction of act.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MI_C600_AAct-236-of-1961_S600.102.md)
- [Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.151a State court fund; creation; use; crediting deposits and income from investments; unencumbered balance remaining in fund; distribution of proceeds.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MI_C600_AAct-236-of-1961_S600.151a.md)
- [Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.151b Court equity fund; creation; duties of state court administrative office; hold harmless fund; payments; reduced shares; retention of balance in work project account; formula; distributions; definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MI_C600_AAct-236-of-1961_S600.151b.md)
- [Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.176 Judicial electronic filing fund; creation; use; credit; unencumbered balance remaining in fund; administration; expenditure; development of statewide electronic filing system; reimbursement to state court administrative office for costs.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MI_C600_AAct-236-of-1961_S600.176.md)
- [Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.205 Justices; availability.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MI_C600_AAct-236-of-1961_S600.205.md)
- [Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.232 Appeals to supreme court.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MI_C600_AAct-236-of-1961_S600.232.md)
- [Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.238 Judicial performance commission; creation; evaluation of judges; performance standards.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MI_C600_AAct-236-of-1961_S600.238.md)
- [Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.244 Filing fees to supreme court; waiver; costs.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MI_C600_AAct-236-of-1961_S600.244.md)
- [Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.251 Staff; budget, expenditures, fees and prerequisites.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MI_C600_AAct-236-of-1961_S600.251.md)
- [Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.302a Judicial district; county lines; preparation of map by secretary of state.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MI_C600_AAct-236-of-1961_S600.302a.md)
- [Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.303b Nomination, election, and terms of candidates for new judgeships.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MI_C600_AAct-236-of-1961_S600.303b.md)
- [Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.304 Court of appeals judge; annual salary; expenses; insurance programs.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MI_C600_AAct-236-of-1961_S600.304.md)
- [Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.306 Temporary judges.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MI_C600_AAct-236-of-1961_S600.306.md)
- [Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.308a Action under Const. 1963, Art. 9, § 32; commencement; jurisdiction; limitations; governmental unit as defendant; officer as party; continuation of action against governmental unit and officer's successor; referral of action; findings of fact; costs.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MI_C600_AAct-236-of-1961_S600.308a.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MI_C600_AAct-236-of-1961_S600.5821. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.
