Court Opinion

ID: 9598436
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-22 01:09:01.224733+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:01:41.628275
License: Public Domain

Williams, J.
(dissenting) — As the majority points out, in adverse possession cases the element of adversity does not exist if the claimant exercised dominion over the disputed land in the belief that such property belonged to the government. Thorsteinson v. Waters, 65 Wn.2d 739, 399 P.2d 510 (1965). The question of adverse use is one of fact in both adverse possession and prescriptive right cases. Northwest Cities Gas Co. v. Western Fuel Co., 13 Wn.2d 75, 123 P.2d 771 (1942). Because the court found that Dunbar believed the road was a public right-of-way until 1972, there was insufficient time (10 years) for the user to ripen into a prescriptive right.
Reconsideration denied January 23,1980.
Review granted by Supreme Court March 21, 1980.