Opinion ID: 1058769
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Defense of Laches

Text: We find no merit in the LLC's argument that the circuit court erred in failing to consider its defense of laches. The LLC bases its argument on the fact that Dorothy knew about Malcolm's interest in the property in 1956 and yet did not assert any right of her own until 2003. The doctrine of laches involves the failure of a party to assert a known right or claim for an unexplained period of time resulting in prejudice to the adverse party. Stewart v. Lady, 251 Va. 106, 114, 465 S.E.2d 782, 786 (1996); Masterson v. Board of Zoning Appeals, 233 Va. 37, 47, 353 S.E.2d 727, 735 (1987). The burden of proving this defense rests with the party asserting it. Stewart, 251 Va. at 114, 465 S.E.2d at 786; Morris v. Mosby, 227 Va. 517, 521-22, 317 S.E.2d 493, 496 (1984). Here, the LLC's defense failed completely because the LLC did not demonstrate that it was prejudiced by Dorothy's failure earlier to assert her ownership claim against the LLC.