I have a situation that I would appreciate some help/guidance regarding adverse possession. I hope this is an appropriate section for this post.
I live in MA, where the law states 20 years is magic number for adverse possession to be possible. My neighbors land is a subdivision of "my" land. A previous owner had subdivided the land to a family member many years ago. I mention this because, the plot setup is quite strange. My neighbor has an easement to his house through my land, but there's a section on the other side of the driveway in front of his house that I own and would like to "re-claim."
Over the past several years my neighbors in this house have parked their vehicles on the lawn, and mowed the grass in the summer. I have no idea how many years he's been doing so, if he has proof, etc. I'm looking to put an end to it, but am wondering if he technically has right to my land. I bought the house less than 2 years ago. I'm currently paying taxes on the land, and it's listed as my land on my plot plans. So...
1) Can he claim this land, and would he need to file some sort of documentation with the courts? (Proof he has taken care of the land for 20+ years) Idk how the "official claim" would transpire.
2) If he would be required to claim the land through the courts etc., and he hasn't yet.. Can I get a surveyor, and put up a fence without legal issues?
I would appreciate any help you can offer. Thank you!
I live in MA, where the law states 20 years is magic number for adverse possession to be possible. My neighbors land is a subdivision of "my" land. A previous owner had subdivided the land to a family member many years ago. I mention this because, the plot setup is quite strange. My neighbor has an easement to his house through my land, but there's a section on the other side of the driveway in front of his house that I own and would like to "re-claim."
Over the past several years my neighbors in this house have parked their vehicles on the lawn, and mowed the grass in the summer. I have no idea how many years he's been doing so, if he has proof, etc. I'm looking to put an end to it, but am wondering if he technically has right to my land. I bought the house less than 2 years ago. I'm currently paying taxes on the land, and it's listed as my land on my plot plans. So...
1) Can he claim this land, and would he need to file some sort of documentation with the courts? (Proof he has taken care of the land for 20+ years) Idk how the "official claim" would transpire.
2) If he would be required to claim the land through the courts etc., and he hasn't yet.. Can I get a surveyor, and put up a fence without legal issues?
I would appreciate any help you can offer. Thank you!