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[RC] re: Problem with a neighbor - A. PerezI guess my approach would be different than what others have suggested. Just because the neighbor has hired a lawyer does not mean you need to run out and do the same.... yet. Are you abiding by all the land use rules and regulations as far as your keeping horses goes? If not, get yourself legal quickly. If you are keeping within the rules and regs, he has no legal grounds for his complaint, and is just blowing smoke. If this is so, I would write to his lawyer exactly asking what problems he has with the current situation: dust? Flies? Ugly horses defiling his view <G>? Then take whatever actions you feel are reasonable and can afford, to address those concerns. It could mean planting trees along the fenceline, setting up a sprinkler and/or re-seeding to abate dust, dividing the pasture and turning out in that area only at night, whatever. Doesn't have to be a big effort, but make some gesture. Send a letter to his lawyer outlining the steps you have taken/plan to take. Be nice and conciliatory. Not only are you demonstrating your willingness to be reasonable and to address his concerns, you are running up HIS legal bills, since his lawyer will charge him to read your letters and write replies. ONLY deal with his lawyer: he is the one who brought a lawyer into it, so play the game... HE will be the one to pay for it! So call or write the lawyer early and often! Be sure to ask for a reply to each and every letter! Should your neighbor find some grounds for dragging you into court, you will look the better for having made an effort to address his concerns. Hopefully he'll get tired of paying lawyers fees to play this game and will go away. If he keeps complaining, ignore him. Only if he actually threatens to sue should you hire a lawyer. Chances are he HAS no grounds, and knows it, and his lawyer won't want to waste time the case. I doubt that bringing up his encrouchment on the property line would do much good, and would probably only piss him more off. If powers-that-be did not see fit to enforce the set-back requirements at the time his house was built, are they likely to do so now? Hold off on using that card until it is clear that nothing else will work and there is no hope for an amicable settlement, because once you play that card, there will be no going back. ________________________________________________ Get your own "800" number Voicemail, fax, email, and a lot more http://www.ureach.com/reg/tag ============================================================ The only thing worse than crewing for a female Endurance rider is crewing for a wet, tired female Endurance Rider! A good crew person has patience, a sense of humor, and knows that sometimes it's best to say nothing at all! ~ Jim Holland ridecamp.net information: http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/ ============================================================
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