Seattle and Tacoma Boundary Dispute Attorneys

There are often instances where neighboring owners of real estate in the area have a boundary dispute. A boundary dispute can bring into question whether or not the parties are adequately informed about boundary lines and where their legal property begins and ends.

There can be many complications associated with these disputes, and it’s important to choose Seattle and Tacoma boundary dispute attorneys with plenty of insight and experience to help clients understand their cases and get the resolution they need.

The experts at Dickson Frolich Phillips Burgess are ready to take action to assist clients with these complex cases and begin collecting information in detail to help support the case.

Boundary Dispute Concerns

So, you’ve found yourself in the middle of a boundary dispute and have some concerns. You want answers to questions and sound legal advice to settle the case. Boundary dispute lawyers can handle both personal cases and commercial cases.

They strive to understand the exact details of the situation to help provide the client with a quick and reasonable resolution. For example, consider the following instances of boundary disputes.

Private Property

Where there’s a boundary dispute between private property owners, the dispute may halt the progress of any new building additions, outside structures, or improvements in the area.

It’s essential to get to the bottom of the case and determine precisely where boundary lines lie so that each party may move forward with their projects or endeavors in an informed manner.

Sometimes, individuals may have an improperly documented rendering of their property lines or an outdated plot map. It’s the legal representative’s job to find out where current boundary lines lie and where any inaccuracies may be perceived.

Once the information documentation is collected, your attorney can present this information to the courts for a correct ruling for each party.

An example of a boundary dispute would be if a property owner planned on digging a drainage ditch or adding drainage improvements to their property, but their neighbor feels the property they plan on improving belongs to them. Additionally, one or more individuals may have some form of information or documentation that makes them feel they are correct about boundary lines. However, sometimes these cases require more digging.

There may be a need for further assessment and the services of professional surveyors or city experts. Without the proper legal representation, these cases may take a long time to resolve. They may be a major inconvenience for the client.

Seattle and Tacoma boundary dispute attorneys can cut through the red tape and take action to get a fast resolution. Boundary dispute attorneys are well-versed in local laws and know how to contact the proper authorities to get a boundary dispute settled.

A boundary dispute lawyer can teach their client how these proceedings work and what to expect for the future of their case. They can also contact city entities or industry experts to acquire the information necessary to present the case in court better.

Commercial Cases

When it comes to commercial boundary disputes, these cases can be inherently more complex. Boundary dispute lawyers must obtain extensive documentation and information from the client, the opposing party, city and local officials, and other related entities.

These boundary disputes can impede the progress of future development and building endeavors. There are many considerations when a boundary dispute occurs in a commercial area.

It’s important to select a boundary dispute lawyer who is well-versed in commercial boundary disputes and can contact the proper officials to determine where a boundary lies and who may move forward with development or if development must be halted.

It’s even more crucial for property owners and the general public to resolve these boundary disputes as soon as possible. For example, if construction has begun on a project and the general public is affected regarding transportation routes or access to specific areas, it’s important to get a quick resolution.

Impeding traffic flow and preventing access to areas may be inconvenient and pose a danger to anyone in the area. In addition, when the construction of a project is halted for an extended time, it leaves open a risk for individuals to trespass on property, for injuries to occur, for theft of equipment and other building materials, and for public nuisance.

It is important to resolve boundary issues to avoid a significant loss of income for specific entities. Halting construction projects may incur fines and other related expenses. We know these cases can be a hassle and become very frustrating. However, we are here to help.

The Need for An Experienced Boundary Dispute Attorney

Not just any general attorney will do when it comes to private and commercial boundary disputes. Boundary dispute attorneys have a unique insight into the laws of a specific area and know how to overcome obstacles in a case.

They are highly knowledgeable about where to source their information and submit documentation and information to the courts promptly. Additionally, they’re prepared to go to court and establish a solid case that presents the facts to the court so that they may understand the basis for the case.

Selecting a highly experienced and knowledgeable attorney in the area with a track record of success is crucially important. They can advise the client on how to proceed and avoid missteps in the case to ensure the best outcome.

They can also provide the client with education, guidance, and ongoing support to help them understand their case and any nuances related to a potential ruling. They are also available to answer your questions or to advise you about any changes to the case or unexpected occurrences while the case is being presented to the courts.

When searching for legal representation in a boundary dispute case, it’s important to work with an attorney with an established reputation and a high success rate in these cases. These attorneys have worked extensively and learned the law’s ins and outs in their local area and with the state.

Finding a top attorney can be a challenge. That’s why it’s important to research to determine if a specific law firm or attorney is a good fit for your boundary dispute case. Experience and capability are all determining factors for having a good outcome.

Individuals looking for an attorney can do online research, learn more about an attorney’s case history, and read client testimonials to understand legal services better. Additionally, word-of-mouth recommendations are another great way to find a top-performing attorney or law firm like Dickson Frolich Phillips Burgess.

Our team of experts can provide each client with transparent services and work with them closely to determine their specific needs. They can also help them understand the finer points of their case and educate them about the laws in their area.

Experienced attorneys can also help each individual prevent missteps during a case and will instruct them on how to proceed and what actions to avoid for the best outcome.

Why Choose Us?

We are a leading legal firm in the Seattle and Tacoma area with the insight and experience to help clients get the resolution they need, even when it’s a complex case.

Our team can handle personal and commercial boundary disputes and ensure the case is handled promptly to prevent further hold-ups.

We are committed to serving the residents and business owners in and around the Seattle and Tacoma areas.

How Can We Help?

Our legal experts can sift through the complex layers of a boundary dispute case. We can resolve it quickly with the best possible outcome for our clients.

We will work hard to communicate with the other party and gather supporting facts and information to create a solid case.

We also educate clients about boundary disputes and instruct them on what to do in the case to ensure they have the best possible results.

Contact Us Today

One of our legal experts can schedule a consultation for services or answer any questions about boundary disputes.

Dickson Frohlich Phillips Burgess is standing by to work with you to help you navigate the complex legal climate with these disputes and allow you to get the best outcome for your case.

Call us today at these locations: Seattle – (206) 621-1110, and Tacoma – (253) 572-1000.

FAQs about Boundary Disputes

We will always answer your questions before moving forward, and some of the most common questions people ask us include:

Is there a 7-Year Rule for a Boundary Dispute? 

There is not a 7-year rule for a boundary dispute. Many people believe that a neighbor may claim property for themselves over a boundary line for private property without dispute.

It’s important to consult an attorney to learn the legalities of a boundary dispute and know where your rights lie. Individuals may begin a boundary dispute case at any point if they are the rightful owner of the land or property in question.

If there is any reason to believe they are not the rightful owners or there are extenuating circumstances in the case, your attorney can advise you about these matters. It’s another reason why it’s vital to seek legal counsel in any boundary dispute case.

Who Pays for a Boundary Dispute Case?

There is some gray area when it comes to who pays the cost of a boundary dispute. In most instances, the individual who loses the case will pay for their and the winners’ legal costs. However, this is only sometimes the case, and it’s up to the judge to determine whether they want to award them or not.

Much of this determination is based on whether the judge feels that the parties have behaved reasonably. If they do not behave in a reasonable manner, he may make them both pay for legal costs.

However, the loser may pay all the legal costs if the winning party is reasonable. If the judge feels that cost sanctions are necessary for either party, they can also impose them.

When is a Boundary Considered Permanent?

A boundary is only considered permanent in a 12-year span. However, at that time, if there is a dispute, an application can be filed with the land registry for the error to be fixed. There may need to be a solid case to take this action.

Having a boundary dispute attorney to walk you through the process and provide support and advice throughout the boundary dispute can help individuals get a resolution that meets their needs.

Can Boundary Disputes Affect a Liability Case?

There may be instances where another legal liability case may hinge on whether a person owns a specific piece of private or commercial property. If there is a boundary dispute and an injury or another liability incident occurs, it’s important to determine the owner of the property where the accident occurred.

Before a liability case is settled, if there is a boundary dispute, it’ll be critically important to prove or disprove where a boundary lies between said property. When a case has another lawsuit hinging on the outcome, it’s essential to have a highly knowledgeable boundary dispute lawyer working on the case to help avoid missteps and unnecessary liability.

For example, suppose an individual enters a property and is injured by a feature of the land, standing water, or animals on the property. In that case, it’s important to know whose property they were injured on and who’s liable in the case.

How Long Do Boundary Disputes Last?

A boundary dispute may last anywhere from a few weeks to several years. An important factor in the length of a case is the legal representation you choose. Individuals less skilled in these cases may take actions that may delay the case for an extended time.

Additionally, extenuating circumstances or factors may require a deep analysis of boundary lines and additional surveys by local officials. When you secure the services of your attorney, they can work with you to help you understand how long your case may take and will advise you if there are any delays or issues along the way.

However, in most cases, individuals can expect a resolution to their case anywhere from a few months to one year from the date they file a case.

These may not be your only questions; our attorneys will discuss your specific concerns in your initial consult.