Q: How do we keep neighbors from squatting on land we recently purchased?
We bought 2 acres in St Tammany Parish, LA about 2 yrs ago that the neighbors have “helped themselves” to for several years prior. We can’t keep them off the property (their driveway crosses the property line, they dug a pond that is 80% on our land, and their trampoline and swing set are on our side). We paid to have a survey done twice and both times they have pulled up our survey stakes. What can we do to have their belongings removed and establish a property line to build a fence and protect our land from these squatters? We have asked them to move their things and reroute their driveway, but they ignore our requests. We have not called the cops yet, but we are running out of peaceful options. I’m afraid they are trying to acquire what’s ours through adverse possession. Help!
A: If your deed and survey show that you own within certain bounds, you can have an attorney send a formal demand, failing which you could also try to file a report of trespass with law enforcement. If the neighbors continue to resist those efforts, you will have no other option than to file suit - a Petitory action - meaning you claim to be owner and another party is possessing part of the land you own. To prevail, you will need to show that you have better/best title to the area at issue. So, you should consult, and likely, retain counsel well versed in real estate who is local to you and can assist.
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