As Robert Frost once wrote, good fences make good neighbors. A clear understanding of the boundary between your land and your neighbor's is critical to a good relationship. Unfortunately, sharing a property line or access road can lead to disputes between neighbors, and several kinds of property disputes can arise.
One type is a boundary dispute. These arise from confusion and uncertainty about where the boundary is. They can involve an encroachment onto your property, or a neighbor trying to take part of your property through adverse possession.
Another type is an easement or access dispute. These often arise from easements with poorly written agreements, or no written agreement at all. The easement can relate to property access, utilities, a well, water, or sewer lines. The outcome can greatly affect property values, because it may give another person a right to cross your property, or leave you without access to your own. We draft agreements that remove the uncertainty between neighbors before a problem starts, and we resolve the issues that do arise.
Other disputes include trespass and nuisance claims. Sometimes an owner claims damages for another person's trespass on their land. Other times an owner claims damages for a nuisance, which is another person's unreasonable use of property that interferes with the owner's use or enjoyment of their own property.
Boundary disputes, easements, and other property disputes can raise complicated legal issues. Our attorneys negotiate and litigate property disputes.
If you have a boundary, easement, trespass, or nuisance dispute, contact diStefano & Mattingley, PLLP for an initial consultation. We can also help you put easement agreements, shared well agreements, and similar arrangements in writing.