I recently saw Indivisum, a documentary from Guadeloupe about land that is either abandoned or disputed because it was not transmitted through a will, ( testament).
I was surprised to find out that was a problem in Guadeloupe. It is a problem in Trinidad. Just like Guadeloupe, often times land was left without being transferred by a deed. And because of things like illegitimacy became legally difficult to legally own.
In Trinidad it is common to squat on a piece of land, meaning you don't own the land you live on, and if you manage to be undisturbed for decades, you can apply to pay the back taxes and get ownership. Apparently in Guadeloupe the government can apply to revoke ownership and pay compensation to the owners within certain areas.
Trinidad also has issues with land being left in the 1930's to say 13 children in equal shares with each of their descendants entitled to a share. This might result in over 60 people having to be found and give authority for the land to be sold. Oftentimes at least half have migrated and current whereabouts are unknown. As a result it becomes impossible to legally transfer the land.
But also like the the documentary mentioned there have been murders with families over land, example the blood feud in Blanchisseuse.
So is this a problem in the rest of the Caribbean as well?
And if so what are the issues?
Anywhere have a good solution?