Protecting Your Property. Resolving Disagreements. Defending Your Rights.
Boundary disputes between neighbors or property owners can lead to significant legal, financial, and personal stress. Whether it’s a disagreement over a fence line, property line encroachment, or unclear easements, Guiding Legal Counsel offers expert legal counsel to help resolve boundary disputes effectively. Our goal is to protect your property rights and help you find a resolution—whether through negotiation, mediation, or litigation.
1. Property Line Disputes & Survey Discrepancies
Disputes often arise when property lines are unclear or contested. Our attorneys can:
Help resolve disagreements over property boundaries by reviewing property surveys, deed descriptions, and other documents that define your property lines.
If necessary, we’ll work with surveyors to obtain an accurate, professional survey to establish clear property boundaries.
Advocate for you if the neighbor’s actions—such as placing structures or fences on your property—have infringed on your land.
If a dispute cannot be resolved amicably, we’ll pursue legal action to protect your rights to the land.
2. Adverse Possession Claims
If someone has been using your land without permission, they may eventually claim it as their own under adverse possession laws. This can be a complex area of law, but our attorneys have the experience to:
Assess whether adverse possession is a legitimate claim based on the specific legal requirements of your jurisdiction.
Represent you in defending against an adverse possession claim by proving lack of continuous, open, and hostile use of the property.
Help you understand your options if you’re seeking to assert an adverse possession claim over land you’ve used for years.
- We provide you with clear, proactive advice on how to prevent or respond to adverse possession issues.
3. Encroachment & Unauthorized Structures
Encroachments—when a neighbor or third party places a structure or other physical obstruction on your property—are a common issue. We assist property owners by:
Defending your property rights if someone has unlawfully built on your land, such as placing a fence, shed, driveway, or extension beyond the property line.
Negotiating a resolution, including removal of the encroaching structure or an agreement for an easement if appropriate.
Taking legal action to remove unauthorized structures, demand compensation, or seek a court order if negotiation fails.
Our attorneys work to swiftly resolve encroachments while protecting the value and integrity of your property.
4. Easement & Right of Way Disputes
Easements and rights of way grant third parties access or use of a portion of your property for specific purposes (e.g., utility lines, driveways, or pathways). Disputes often arise over:
The location and extent of an easement—whether it’s being used for purposes outside the original agreement.
Whether a right of way is being obstructed or violated by neighboring property owners.
The termination or modification of an easement agreement.
We will thoroughly review your deed and easement agreements, negotiate on your behalf, and, if necessary, represent you in court to resolve disputes.
5. Boundary Agreement Drafting & Review
In some cases, neighbors may wish to formalize an agreement about property boundaries, access rights, or shared fences. We assist in:
Drafting boundary agreements that are legally enforceable and address specific property concerns (e.g., common fences, shared driveways).
Reviewing existing boundary agreements to ensure they protect your rights and prevent future disputes.
Ensuring the agreement is recorded with the county or relevant authority to avoid confusion in the future.
Our goal is to ensure that any agreement you enter into is legally binding and clear, providing peace of mind for both parties.
6. Mediation & Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
Not all boundary disputes need to go to court. In fact, many can be resolved through mediation or arbitration, which can be faster, less expensive, and less emotionally draining. Our firm:
Represents you in mediation or arbitration to facilitate a resolution without the need for formal litigation.
Acts as your advocate to ensure that any agreements reached are fair and legally enforceable.
Helps you evaluate whether ADR is the best option based on the specifics of your case.
If negotiation fails, we’re prepared to take your case to court, but we always aim to resolve disputes with minimal hassle.
7. Boundary Disputes Involving Natural Features (Rivers, Streams, etc.)
In some cases, boundary disputes involve natural features like rivers, streams, or mountains that act as the natural boundary between properties. If a change in the course of a river or natural erosion has altered your boundary, we can:
Assess the impact of natural changes on the boundary lines and determine your legal options.
Help resolve disputes involving property damage caused by erosion or the shifting of natural landmarks.
File claims for compensation if natural changes have adversely affected your property or land use.
We’ll help you navigate the complexities of property law when natural features complicate boundary determinations.
Why Choose Guiding Legal Counsel?
Boundary disputes are complex, but they don’t have to be overwhelming. Our legal team offers:
In-depth Knowledge of Property Laws: We bring a deep understanding of local and state property laws, surveying practices, and legal precedents.
Personalized Legal Strategy: Each dispute is unique. We tailor our approach to fit your specific needs and objectives.
Skilled Negotiation and Litigation: Whether it’s negotiating a settlement or taking the matter to court, we protect your interests and fight for the best possible outcome.
Fast, Efficient Resolution: Boundary disputes can be time-sensitive. We work quickly to resolve issues, preserving your property rights without unnecessary delays.
