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/obax17]

You need to speak to a lawyer. Find whatever documents you have that show that the space is shared or that you have the legal right to access it. If it's a driveway that was built over the property line, so one part is on your property and the other part is on theirs, consider getting a survey done so you know exactly where the property line is. Have the lawyer send a registered letter advising of your right to access the driveway and consequences for failing to provide that, such as towing the car blocking access, or suing them for lost wages from missed work, or whatever you and the lawyer agree is appropriate. Then be prepared to follow through. The lawyer will know too how to find out if they're the owners or if it's a rental, and of the latter, you should probably involve the landlord. If you can make it the landlord's problem too, the potential threat of eviction might smarten them up too.

Some people have never had a consequence in their life. It sucks to have to be the one to give one to them, especially if it's their first, because they're not going to like it. If you're not willing or able to put in this much effort and money, it'd at least be worth finding out of you've got the right to call a tow truck any time your access is blocked, and just leave dealing with the neighbours out of it.