Boundary Law

Boundary disputes are extremely common in Maine, and can arise unexpectedly. For example, you may attempt to sell or refinance your home, only to have a bank inform you that your garage is too close to a lot line. Or, you may arrive home to find that your neighbor has cut down trees that you had always believed were yours. A surveying company hired by a distant property owner may challenge your boundaries or your own surveyor may discover that someone else has built a house on your lot!

A challenge to one's boundaries is often very upsetting. Because people rely on legal boundaries to preserve their privacy and monetary investment, they feel extremely threatened when those boundaries are questioned. Unfortunately, the laws governing land boundaries can seem complex, antiquated, and bewildering.

If you have the misfortune of discovering a boundary problem, you can feel confident about calling upon Murray, Plumb & Murray for assistance. We have over 20 years of experience in dealing with every variety of boundary controversy, including:

• disputes about the location or use of rights-of-way and other easements;
• conflicts between surveys;
• claims of ownership by adverse possession ("squatters rights") or prescription;
• clarification of ambiguous or conflicting deed descriptions;
• disagreements among co-owners of property;
• disputes over shore rights and ownership of waterfront property; and
• trespasses and encroachments.

Because litigation can be expensive, we recommend that our clients consider mediation of the boundary dispute in the first instance. However, if mediation fails, you will find no better advocates at trial than Murray, Plumb & Murray. We know the law, we know how to prove a case, and perhaps most importantly we know how much your land means to you.

Attorneys