Opinion ID: 886503
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: facts

Text: ¶ 5 Han Farms owns certain real property in Hill County, Montana, located in Sections 12, 13, and 14 of Township 31 North, Range 16 East, Montana Principal Meridian (M.P.M.). Han Farms has tenants, Ryan and Haven Linder (Linders), living on its property. ¶ 6 Molitor owns certain real property in Hill County, Montana, located at the N 1/2 of Section 14, Township 31 North, Range 16 East, M.P.M. On Molitor's property stands two residences, several outbuildings, corrals and fences. The Molitor property is used for agricultural purposes and two families live on the property. ¶ 7 Han Farms has utilized a roadway crossing Molitor's land since the Han Farms property was purchased in 1979. The road connects to Bullhook Road, a Hill County public road. The road across Molitor's land was used by Han Farms to access Han Farms for residential and agricultural purposes. Han Farms' predecessor in interest used the road for the same purposes. ¶ 8 According to Molitor, the use of the road has increased substantially since the Linders moved onto the Han Farms property. The Linders apparently have had several recreational invitees who use the road to get to Han Farms. Molitor gave Han Farms notice that she intended to withdraw permission to use the road, which prompted Han Farms to file this action, asking the District Court to find Han Farms has a prescriptive easement over the road on Molitor's land. In its Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law, and Judgment, dated March 19, 2002, the District Court found in favor of Han Farms, concluding Han Farms does have a prescriptive easement over Molitor's road.