I am sure easement disputes are not something you have ever considered.

I have seen several disputes between neighbors and property owners in Upper Marlboro, where one person felt they were being stepped on or cut off.

Shared driveway, private road access, utility companies…who has rights?

What Is an Easement Dispute?

An easement gives someone the legal right to use part of someone else’s land for a specific reason. It could be:

• A neighbor’s driveway crosses your property
• A utility company with underground lines on your land
• A path or road someone else uses to get to their home or land

Trouble starts when the landowner wants to limit access or when the person using the easement goes beyond what’s allowed.

How I Help Resolve Easement Disputes

“Property lines are one thing—but how you use the land is just as important.”

Review the Easement Agreement (if one exists)

I look at the deed, plats, or any written easement document to see what was agreed to. Some easements are recorded; others are just understood and used for years.

Investigate the History

If no written agreement exists, I investigate how long the easement has been used. In Maryland, long-time use can lead to a “prescriptive easement.”

Clarify What’s Reasonable Use

Easements come with limits. I help define fair use versus overuse, like turning a basic walking path into a driveway without permission.

Negotiate a Practical Solution

Sometimes, both sides just need boundaries. I negotiate clear terms—who can access what, when, and how—so everyone knows where they stand.

Go to Court If Necessary

If talks fail and one party blocks access or damages property, I’m ready to take it to court and ask a judge to enforce or limit the easement.

Why Easement Disputes Matter

Easements affect everything from privacy and traffic to property value. Whether defending your land or protecting your access rights, these issues deserve serious attention—and clear legal action.

Dealing with an easement conflict in Upper Marlboro?

Call me, Matthew J. Dyer, Esq., at 301-627-5844. 

Let’s settle it the right way—before it gets worse.