Opinion ID: 1766673
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Prescriptive Easement (Points IV-V)

Text: The Menses do not challenge whether the Watsons have acquired an easement by prescription. Rather, they only contest the trial court's determination that the easement is 24 feet wide and its omission of the easement's permissible uses. Because they admit the easement exists, the Menses must not interfere with the use of the easement. The trial court found that the Menses tractor parked in front of the gate interfered with the use of the easement. Under Murphy, this finding is not disturbed, nor is the order prohibiting the Menses' interference with the easement. Point denied.
The trial court's determination that the easement is 24 feet wide is supported by substantial evidence. Charles Watson explicitly testified to this fact, and the trial court noted that photographic evidence of the gate confirmed his testimony. Again, under Murphy, this determination is not disturbed. Point denied.
The trial court's omission of the specific uses from the easement description is not error. When an easement is claimed by prescription, the character and extent of it is fixed and determined by the use under which it is gained. Holian v. Guenther, 471 S.W.2d 457, 459 (Mo. 1971). Accordingly, the trial court necessarily defines the acceptable use of an easement by the factual findings that gave rise to the prescription. The Watson family had moved combines, cattle and other farming equipment between their two parcels. This would be the acceptable uses of the easement. If the easement holder thereafter unreasonably exploits the easement beyond those uses, the servient owner may bring suit to enjoin that behavior. Point denied.