Legal Question in Real Estate Law in California

Liability

My neighbors have a ''Prescriptive Right of Usage'' regarding their driveway on my property..I am posting a California Civil Code 1008 sign but also need to protect myself against any Liability..how do I do this...will posting another sign regarding this plus a signed document by them protect me?


Asked on 6/09/09, 9:53 am

2 Answers from Attorneys

Daniel Bakondi The Law Office of Daniel Bakondi

Re: Liability

It depends. What liability are you afraid of? Why would they sign it? I dont even know if their easement is valid at this point, so I would need to look at the facts.

Best,

Daniel Bakondi, Esq.

IMPORTANT:

No attorney-client nor confidential relationship is created through this communication. You may not rely in any way on this communication, and nothing herein constitutes legal advice nor legal opinion. Your issue may be time sensitive and may result in loss of rights if you do not obtain an attorney immediately.

Read more
Answered on 6/09/09, 11:41 pm
Bryan Whipple Bryan R. R. Whipple, Attorney at Law

Re: Liability

Posting a Civil Code 1008 sign will have no effect on any neighbors who already have prescriptive easements, but it would authorize additional parties to begin use of the driveway, or it would elevate trespassers to whom you owe very limited duties re hazards, accidents and liabilities to invitees to whom you owe a higher standard of care regarding hazards of use. Therefore, unless there is some special situation not revealed in your facts, I don't see any point in posting CC1008 signs.

If there is a problem with frequent trespassers (persons without easement rights), you might post "no trespassing" signs. If there are hazards such as narrow bridges, blind curves, etc., you might post appropriate warnings. However, I see no advantage to 1008 signs.

Further, the users of an easement are responsible for its maintenance. If there are hazards on the driveway due to lack of maintenance or improper construction in the first place, you might want to give the neighbors a written request that the hazards be repaired, just to help cover yourself.

Read more
Answered on 6/09/09, 12:19 pm


Related Questions & Answers

More Real Estate and Real Property questions and answers in California