Port Saint Lucie, FL asked in Real Estate Law for Florida

Q: How can a neighbor be allowed to build his dock on part of an existing dock past another person's property line?

My elderly parent's neighbor re-built his dock, but he built it three feet past their property line and on top of their existing dock. Surely this in not legal, is it? Would my mother contact the property appraiser's office or would she need to get an attorney involved? Would the neighbor be forced to remove the section that is on my parents property? They are very upset about this. (I was also told that the neighbor has approached and screamed at my mother and then my father on two separate occasions as well for no reason. My father is 93 and my mother is 88).

Additional Information: The neighbor did not obtain a permit according to the property appraiser's records.

Related Topics:
1 Lawyer Answer
Terrence H Thorgaard
Terrence H Thorgaard
Answered
  • Freeeport, FL
  • Licensed in Florida

A: Yes, your parents would probably need to go to court to order the neighbor to remove the encroaching portion of the dock. Did the neighbor get a permit for the construction?

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.