You can choose your house, but you can’t choose your neighbors. Even if you try to be a good neighbor, there may come a time when you run into trouble. For example, boundary disputes are common.
While there may not be any way to prevent a boundary dispute, there are steps you can take to resolve your issue:
- Property survey: If you already have a survey of your property, review it to ensure that you’re adhering to all boundary lines. If you don’t have a survey, now’s the time to hire a professional to provide one.
- Find common ground with your neighbor: For example, you may be able to settle on a physical object, such as a line of trees or fence, to serve as a boundary line. If you do this, you’ll both sign a quitclaim deed to make it legal.
- Adverse possession: This comes into play if the property has been used by someone other than the owner for an extended period of time. The laws regarding adverse possession are complex, so you must carefully consider your legal rights and the process you follow to secure the property or protect it from someone else.
A boundary dispute with a neighbor can make your life miserable, as you won’t want anything to do with this person. You’ll probably have to take action to find a final resolution that you’re happy with.
Once you consider all your options, you can then make up your mind as to what you do next. Knowing your legal rights will put you in position to achieve the outcome you’re seeking.
