Easement

An easement is a non-possessory right to use someone else's land for a defined purpose, driveway access, utility lines, drainage, shared parking, or pedestrian rights of way. The land remains in the owner's possession; the easement holder just has the right of use.

Easements are usually created by written grant, by reservation in a deed, by prior use, by necessity, or by long-standing adverse use (prescription). Recording the easement document keeps it enforceable against subsequent owners.

California recognizes both appurtenant easements (attached to a piece of land) and easements in gross (personal to a holder, common for utilities). Disputes typically arise from scope creep, blocked access, or unclear original terms. We negotiate, draft, record, and litigate easement matters.