11. Maybe you can opt for an easement by estoppel
Let’s assume you’ve already bought a landlocked property knowing that when you first met the adjacent neighbor, he told you that you could use his private land to reach your property. So, you haven’t seen an easement agreement; you just assumed there’s one.
Now, the adjacent neighbor doesn’t seem so nice, and he refuses to let you use his land for access. The only way to go forward is by obtaining an easement by estoppel. You must file a court action, providing certain things and then getting an order from the judge:
- Your adjacent neighbor must have knowledge of the true facts.
- The landlocked property owner must prove his lack of knowledge regarding an easement agreement.
Please take into consideration that there are some variations between U.S. states in how easements by estoppel work, so it’s best to consult with local legal counsel.
Read also: 50 Most Insane Laws That Still Exist in Each U.S. State
