Hit $47,000 in legal fees for a simple fence dispute in Oakland

Honestly I thought we'd settle it for maybe $2,000 but my neighbor lawyered up with some big firm in SF. The whole thing started over a property line that was off by 18 inches. Has anyone else dealt with a neighbor who just refuses to compromise on something this basic?

2 comments

2 Comments

jake_torres684d ago

Honestly that "simple fence dispute" line hits hard. A buddy of mine out in Fresno had the same thing happen over a driveway that was three inches over the line, ended up costing him $12,000 and the neighbor still wouldn't budge. People get weird about property lines like it's a matter of honor or something, even when it's just dirt and wood.

sarah_mason4d ago

Yeah that "just dirt and wood" part is exactly what gets me. I read somewhere that most property line disputes start because someone assumed their survey was right without actually getting one. People spend thousands in legal fees over a few feet of land that probably won't matter in five years. Your buddy's situation in Fresno is way too common, I heard about a case in Bakersfield where two neighbors spent over 30 grand fighting over a strip of grass that wasn't even usable.