Lawyer well-versed in neighbor disputes

[hahathor.livejournal.com]

I'm having some issues with my neighbors about use of a shared private way. I've been trying for several years to have a civil conversation with them about how we can best utilize our shared property so that we both can get the use we want out of it. However, they have become increasingly hostile toward me & it is getting to the point where it is difficult if not impossible for me to access my property, and damage has been done to both my house & my vehicle. I don't particularly want to bring this to court, but it's really getting intolerable, and I'm hoping that a lawyer might be able to provide some advice on the best way to handle this. The few real-estate lawyers I have contacted deal primarily with closings, and I think I need some one with direct experience in neighbor disputes.

Recommendations gladly accepted.

Comments

[turil.livejournal.com]

If they are blocking access to an egress (not giving you at least 3 feet of walkway to any exterior door or fire escape, you can call the fire department and/or DPW which inspects for public safety and fire violations. We had an evil landlady once who had a dumpster parked in the not-really-wide-enough-to-be-a-driveway bit of land on the side of the house, so that it completely blocked access to the back door/yard. I called the DPW and they came by within an hour, and then called the landlady and made her move it.

I also had a lovely upstairs neighbor who, after being asked very nicely to leave some space on one side when she parked her car (in the shouldn't-have-been-a-driveway) so that everyone could get into the back of the house, parked not just smack dab in the middle of the space, but actually butting up against the gate opening, so that the only way to get into the back of the house was to climb over her car. I did and got sued by her car insurance company. Fun! But at least the whole deal made the landlady realized (after talking to a lawyer) that she was indeed legally responsible for making sure that the path to the back was always clear, and the problem never happened again.

Anyway, yeah, good luck with the negotiations. And do try calling the DPW at least, if there are any clear violations of access.

[hahathor.livejournal.com]

Thank you for your suggestions.