Property Line Unevenly Splits Approach
real estate attorney Iowa Aug 15, 2026
Location: Iowa Helping a neighbor define property line before new owner in adjacent lot starts developing. Family used to own entirety of property years ago. Father had sold off a portion we will say 35 years ago. 20 years ago the U.S. Hwy that is the sole access to both properties was widened and new approaches installed. From the appearance of things, one approach per property.. The father had a verbal agreement with the individual he had originally sold land to that they could use his approach, giving them a horseshoe drive, as long as they plowed all snow in winter. I pulled county maps for her that show her PL doesn’t cover entire approach as previously thought. As I couldn’t imagine the idiocy involved in state engineers locating the approach in a manner obvious to cause conflict, I busted out my 350’ surveyor tape and validated the drawing from known correct survey pin. The neighboring properties (new owner) portion of the approach is not wide enough (7-8 feet) to effectively use if original property chose to fence the boundary. One side residential, the other side developing commercial. Not sure if this is the right place to start looking for resolutions, but it appears she has found herself with front row seats to a state sponsored Charlie Foxtrot! I don’t even know where to recommend she start to protect her sanity as well as property value. I’ll try and answer questions to the best of my ability and as timely as possible if you have any. I just can’t imagine telling her she’s going to have to get used to a 24 hr driveway with 2 way traffic because the state put the approach illogically where they did..
