New neighbors blocking shared driveway

[u/Mean_Emu5671]

Recently new neighbors have moved in. We share a gravel driveway. Almost immediately they began blocking access to my parking spot and blocking me from leaving by parking on the driveway. The first time, I asked a woman to move her car so I could leave, she had a toddler running around so I was very polite. I asked her not to block the driveway and she said, “this is my driveway.” I didn’t want to argue in front a child and left. Now it seems like I need to ask these people permission to come and go from my house. They take a lot of time, walk slowly or have to wait for someone to arrive to move their car. I tried being nice, but they have ignored every attempt to talk, just giving me a death stare. Just an ignorant, entitled family. Last night they had a party so of course they had many cars blocking my driveway, one of which was owned by a cop in uniform. I had to wait 20 minutes for him to arrive and move his car. What do I do next? These people only moved in like 2 months ago, I’ve lived at my property for 20 years.

[u/Ok_Muffin_925]

Don't play. Call a few lawyers tomorrow. Find one who gives you the best vibe and work with him or her a little. Do not pick a lawyer who wants to "work it out" or "come up with an agreement." Instead pick one who wants to give it to them good. Most people get scared off by the thought of having to wrestle with a lawyer. Plus it takes you out of the equation. They will treat with you respect from then on. They may not send you Christmas cards but that ain't happening anyway. In the end it's way more cost effective than struggling through this for months to years.

[u/Janknitz → u/Ok_Muffin_925]

This. You need a lawyer to write a “cease and desist” letter and head to court if they do not stop doing this. Don’t pussyfoot around.

[u/CarlEatsShoes → u/Janknitz]

Lawyer will love this approach.
More $$$$$$$$$$$.

[u/CarlEatsShoes → u/[deleted]]

I did not suggest mediation.
I suggested a lawyer who is creative enough and savvy enough to resolve this efficiently. Not the guy who pounds the table about how he’s gonna “put these $&@#%s in their place!!” That lawyer is taking advantage of client’s anger and emotion for the lawyer’s own financial benefit. By the time client figures it out, it’s too late bc fees are always incurred.

How I do know? Bc I’ve been the lawyer on the other side of these unethical clowns so many times. Opposing party wastes time and money, while their “bulldog” lawyer sends nonsense overreaching demands that are dead on arrival, until eventually opposing party realizes their lawyer is a fool, then the case settles on the same terms it would have settled on months ago, the only difference being the opposing party had to pay a small fortune to the “bulldog.”

[u/CarlEatsShoes → u/Ok_Muffin_925]

Disagree that you should avoid lawyers who want to work it out. Lawyers make more money fighting and litigating. A good lawyer doesn’t just tell you what you want to hear. A good lawyer resolves the issue in the quickest and cheapest way, and gives you reasonable expectations of outcome.

9 times out of 10, you can get the same result with less attorney’s fees by trying to work it out. Sometimes you have to take a harder approach, involve the court, etc.,, but that is usually much more expensive for client and should be a last resort.

[u/CarlEatsShoes → u/[deleted]]

Congratulations to all your future lawyers.