Legal Question in Real Estate Law in Washington

Jointly owned property

When a piece of land is owned by

several family members, what are

the individuals' rights to use the

property for their own purposes. ie:

storing vehicles, granting permission

to trespass across jointly owned land

to access a private parcel or the

waterfront. Also if one owner

decides to dig a big hole on joint land

(looking for antiques), or hires

constructions workers who use the

common driveway and leave it

damaged, are they legally bound to

repair the damage they caused?


Asked on 7/18/07, 7:41 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Elizabeth Powell ELizabeth Powell PS Inc

Re: Jointly owned property

When you say "owned" there are different ways property is owned by more than one person. It could be a joint tenancy with a right of survivorship. It could be you own it as tenants in common. I can't tell.

As owners of less than 100% interest, you all have to get along. Sounds as though there are some hard feelings. Is there any point in suggesting you all go to mediation with a neutral and try to work it out?

I can't tell whether one party can buy out the others without a better understanding of the instruments by which you have (all of you) title.

Hope that helps. Elizabeth Powell

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Answered on 7/18/07, 7:51 pm


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