Property Disputes in Everett, WA
Property disputes in Washington are common between neighbors. They even occur between companies and governments. People want to protect what is legally theirs, but sometimes the boundary lines are not clear.
Find out what you can do if you have a property dispute in Everett, Washington. Discover the legal remedies and actions that can help you clear up a misunderstanding, arrange a settlement, or manage an issue involving your property.
What Is a Property Dispute?
Property disputes are legal disputes that involve real estate, including single-family homes, apartments, roads, condominiums, and ponds. Everett, WA property disputes can involve a wide range of parties, which might include some of the following:
- Neighbors
- Homeowners’ association
- Landlords and tenants
- Family members
- Trespassers
- Property visitors
- Government agencies
Generally, any party to a property lawsuit in Everett will deal with one of the state’s district courts. The State of Washington lists these judiciaries and the counties their locations online.
Common Types of Everett, Washington Property Disputes
It’s important to know about common disputes to understand your circumstances. The most common property disputes often include:
- Disputes between neighbors regarding where property lines exist
- Disputes between landlords and tenants regarding who is at fault for damage to the property
- Homeowners and real estate developers disagree over who is responsible for repairs on construction
- People blocking their neighbor’s view via a “spite fence” or another structure specifically made to annoy their neighbor
- Disputes between mortgage lenders and creditors over who can foreclose a property and who receives the proceeds of a sale
- Disputes between homeowners and government agencies about whether they have a utility easement
- Ownership disputes about who is the rightful owner of a property
- Issues with zoning
Beyond these examples, you may find other situations in Everett where a property dispute occurs. In general, if you own land, you have to constantly watch out for it and ensure that others are not using it illegally or trying to claim it as their own.
Understanding Typical Everett, Washington Property Disputes
The destruction of trees or other foliage on your property can be a costly and frustrating event. While storms can cause this issue, losing value on your property due to another’s actions may be worse. Under Washington law, the plaintiff could receive up to three times the assessed value. Additionally, the City of Everett requires the planting of two trees for every one removed. If your construction plans include timber displacement, this may become worth your consideration.
Often, the clash between urbanization and agricultural operations is a feature of property disputes. The most significant complication in litigation is what’s known as Right to Farm legislation. The stated purpose of these laws in Washington and other states is to prevent nuisance lawsuits. Subsequently, you may need an attorney to assess your options in litigation.
Legal Process for Boundary Disputes In Everett, Washington
Has someone brought a property dispute against you in Everett, or are you starting a property dispute against someone else? If so, you need to understand the legal process you will go through. This process begins with understanding the issue at hand.
Understand the Boundary Issue
To understand the specific boundary dispute, you’ll have to do the following things:
- Complete a land survey to locate the exact boundary of your home as outlined in the legal description of the deed. This survey will help you understand your property and how much of your land is encroached.
- Conduct an appraisal to learn the exact market value of the piece of property that is in dispute.
- Do a title search to find all of the documents in the chain of title of your Everett, WA property. The title search will show if any deeds may affect your ownership.
These things will likely have happened when you purchased the home. If that’s the case, the documents you already have should suffice unless the case goes to court.
Many boundary issues deal with partition fences and their costs. In general, the Revised Code of Washington expects neighbors to split expenses for repairs or construction. But, there are exceptions when dealing with particular types of agriculture. For example, if there is a need for hog fencing, an adjoining property owner does not have to pay the extra costs.
Try to Find a Solution with Your Neighbor
Property dispute litigation in Everett, Washington can cost a fortune, not to mention it can take a long time to settle a dispute. Therefore, it’s important to open a discussion between you and your neighbor. If you can reach an agreement and settle the dispute without going to court, you can save time and money.
Try to communicate directly with your neighbor. You can attempt sending a letter, email, making a phone call, or visiting their home if that’s a safe option.
If no progress happens and it’s clear that you and your neighbor are still on completely different pages, at this point, you should consider hiring an attorney to assist you. They can help you understand if you have legal grounds upon which to stand. If you do, then you can send a demand letter.
Sending a Demand Letter
This letter will be from your Everett attorney to your neighbor, and it will outline the property dispute. It will give your neighbor the option to respond via a requested action, or it will provide a reasonable price for settling the dispute out of court.
Your neighbor will likely forward this letter to their attorney to better understand the boundary dispute. From there, the attorneys on both sides will decide the best course of action moving forward.
Going to Court or Reaching a Settlement
Settling property disputes out of court is often the most cost-effective and efficient approach, helping both parties avoid steep litigation fees. However, if negotiations stall, taking the matter to court may become necessary. The court will review the evidence and issue a legally binding decision on ownership of the , property in question. While the outcome may not align perfectly with your expectations, it’s important to recognize that court rulings are final, which is why resolving disputes through settlement is usually the preferred path.
At present, property disputes in Everett that go to trial will often involve the Snohomish County District Court.
Work With an Experienced Local Property Dispute Lawyer In Everett, Washington
When it comes to property disputes, you should work with an experienced property dispute lawyer. Whether you’re filing a property dispute against your neighbor or you are defending a dispute brought against you, you’ll need a lawyer that understands Everett property law on your side. An experienced lawyer can help you settle before taking the dispute to court, which will save you both time and money. We can even help you connect with an attorney across Washington state lines.
Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an attorney in your area!
About the Author
Aaron is a professional legal writer with a B.S. in English Education from Southern Illinois University – Carbondale. He has written, published, and edited thousands of legal articles for RequestLegalHelp, which has connected over 5 million people to legal help in the United States.
With over five years of experience writing thousands of legal articles for law firms across the U.S. and Canada, Aaron specializes in covering federal, state, and city-level legal issues ranging from auto accidents to wrongful terminations.
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