Opinion ID: 2763910
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Title by Acquiescence

Text: [¶11] Hanscom next contends that the court erred in determining that she had not obtained title to the disputed area by acquiescence. We review the court’s findings of fact regarding title by acquiescence for clear error, and will affirm such findings if they are supported by competent evidence. Taylor v. Hanson, 541 A.2d 155, 159 (Me. 1988). To establish title by acquiescence, a party must prove the following by clear and convincing evidence: (1) possession up to a visible line marked clearly by monuments, fences, or the like; (2) actual or constructive notice to the adjoining landowner of the possession; (3) conduct by the adjoining landowner from which recognition and acquiescence . . . may be fairly inferred; [and] (4) acquiescence for a long period of years such that the policy behind the doctrine of acquiescence is well served by recognizing the boundary. Dowley v. Morency, 1999 ME 137, ¶ 16, 737 A.2d 1061. Clear and convincing evidence is evidence that provides the fact-finder with an abiding conviction that the truth of the proponent’s contentions is highly probable. Hamlin v. Niedner, 2008 ME 130, ¶ 8, 955 A.2d 251. [¶12] Here, the court conducted a view of the property and found that, although there were blaze markings on several trees in the area, the markings were ambiguous and did not persuade it to a high probability that they represented a line of occupation. Further, evidence was presented and the court observed for itself 9 that the majority of the contested area outside of the garage and driveway consisted of overgrown brush. We therefore cannot say that the court erred in finding that there was no “possession of the disputed property up to a visible line” sufficient to support Hanscom’s claim of title by acquiescence. In view of the failure of proof on this element, we need not address the remaining elements of the doctrine.