Court Opinion

ID: 3164512
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-12-21 21:10:35.501762+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T11:55:55.378923
License: Public Domain

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

                                                                              -•• •   :;~:

DAVID H. ERBECK and E. ADELE                         No. 72568-8-1            o

ERBECK, husband and wife,
                                                     DIVISION ONE
                      Respondents,

                                                                              V?        "
                                                                              O       7C.

SUSAN S. SPRINGER and JOHN DOE                       UNPUBLISHED
SPRINGER, wife and husband, and all
other persons claiming any right, title,             FILED: December 21 2015
and interest in and to plaintiffs' property,

                      Appellants.

       Cox, J. — Susan Springer appeals the judgment in this quiet title action.

She argues that the court erroneously determined that she did not have an

express easement over a roadway owned by her neighbors, David and Adele

Erbeck. She also claims the court erroneously determined the scope of her

prescriptive easement over the same roadway for one of her two tracts. Finally,

she argues that the court erroneously determined that she did not have any

prescriptive easement over the roadway for her remaining tract. Substantial

evidence supports the trial court's findings of fact. And these findings support the

court's conclusions of law. We affirm.

       The properties' history is relevant here. In 1972, a developer subdivided a

large parcel of unimproved real property into 16 separate tracts. Each tract in the
No. 72568-8-1/2

plat map is designated with a letter from "A" through "P." And each of these

tracts is further described by a legal description on the plat map.

       By statutory warranty deed dated January 17, 1974, the developer

conveyed four of the tracts to Fritz W. Kuester and Mathilde Kuester, his wife.

The legal descriptions of all four tracts are fully set forth in the deed. None of

these legal descriptions includes language showing its letter designation ("A"

through "P") in the plat map. Likewise, none of these legal descriptions includes

the tract designation ("Tract A" through "Tract P") in the plat map. But it is

beyond legitimate dispute that the legal descriptions in this deed correspond with

the legal descriptions of Tracts C, D, E, and N, respectively, of the plat map.

       This deed also contained language granting an express easement for a

roadway over Tract O of the plat. The roadway is 20 feet in width and provides

access to 99th Avenue N.E., a public roadway to the east of all tracts in the plat.

       The disputes in this case center on who has the right to use this easement

and the scope of rights to use the easement.

       After they acquired Tract D, the Kuesters constructed a single family

residence on the West 132 feet of this tract. They occupied this residence until

the Springers purchased this tract in 1988. The Springers continued to use this

residence when they purchased the property.

       The Kuesters used the East 558 feet of Tract D for "haying, grazing, and

raising cattle" during their ownership of this tract. Springer continued this use for

similar purposes during her ownership of this tract.
No. 72568-8-1/3

       In May 1974, the Erbecks purchased Tract 0 from the developer by real

estate contract. This tract is subject to the roadway easement that we previously

described.

       By statutory warranty deed dated March 15, 1988, Mathilde Kuester, a

single woman as her separate estate, conveyed Tract D to Ross N. Springer and

Susan S. Springer, husband and wife.

       By statutory warranty deed dated March 17, 1988, Mathilde Kuester, a

single woman as her separate estate, also conveyed Tract C to Ross N. Springer

and Susan S. Springer, husband and wife. This deed also purports to convey a

20 foot wide easement with this tract.

       In October 2013, David and Adele Erbeck commenced this quiet title

action against Susan Springer. They sought declaratory and injunctive relief with

respect to the roadway over their property, Tract O. In her answer, Springer

sought a determination that she had express easement rights to use the roadway

on Tract O to obtain access to Tracts C and D. Alternatively, she sought a

determination that she has prescriptive easement rights to use the roadway to

obtain access to these two tracts.

       At trial, the parties stipulated to the admission into evidence of 48 exhibits.

Moreover, they also stipulated that Springer had a prescriptive easement over

the roadway owned by the Erbecks to obtain access to her residence. That

residence is located on the West 132 feet of Tract D. The stipulation did not

include any agreement as to the East 558 feet of Tract D.
No. 72568-8-1/4

        The trial court concluded that Springer had no express easement rights to

use the roadway. But the court also determined that she had acquired a limited

prescriptive easement right to use the roadway to obtain access to the residence

located on the West 132 feet of Tract D. This was based, in part, on the parties'

stipulation at trial.

        The court also determined that she had a limited easement right to use the

roadway to obtain access to the East 558 feet of Tract D for "pasture, grazing

and raising cattle." Finally, the trial court concluded that Springer failed to prove

a prescriptive easement to use the roadway for the benefit of Tract C.

        Springer appeals.

                              EXPRESS EASEMENT

        Springer argues that the trial court improperly concluded that she had no

express easement over the roadway to obtain access to Tracts C and D. We

hold that she failed in her burden to prove any express easement rights in the

roadway over Tract O, the property owned by the Erbecks.

        We construe deeds to give effect to the parties' intentions and pay

particular attention to the grantor's intent "'when discerning the meaning of the

entire document.'"1 We use the deed's language as a whole to determine the

        1 Newport Yacht Basin Ass'n of Condo. Owners v. Supreme Nw.. Inc., 168 Wn.
App. 56, 64, 277 P.3d 18 (2012) (quoting Zunino v. Raiewski, 140 Wn. App. 215, 222,
165P.3d57(2007)).
No. 72568-8-1/5

parties' intent.2 When construing a deed, we give meaning "to every word if

reasonably possible."3

      A deed is ambiguous if it is capable of two or more reasonable meanings.4

We do not consider extrinsic evidence if the deed's plain language is

unambiguous.5 But if the deed is ambiguous, we may consider extrinsic

evidence to ascertain the parties' intent.6 This evidence includes "the

circumstances of the transaction" and the parties' subsequent conduct.7 But

extrinsic evidence cannot be used to "'vary, contradict or modify the written

word.'"8 We also construe the deed against the grantor if the parties' intent

remains in doubt.9

       "Interpretation ofa deed is a mixed question offact and law."10 The
parties' intent "is a question offact, and the legal effect oftheir intent is a
question of law."11 After a bench trial, our "review is limited to determining

       2Jd

       3|d

       4Jd at 66.

       5ld at 64.

       6ld at 65.

       7 Id.

       8 Miller v. Kenny. 180 Wn. App. 772, 793, 325 P.3d 278 (2014) (quoting Hollis v.
Garwall. Inc., 137 Wn.2d 683, 695, 974 P.2d 836 (1999)).

       9 Newport Yacht Basin Ass'n of Condo. Owners, 168 Wn. App. at 65.

       10 Id at 64.

       11 Affiliated FM Ins. Co. v. LTK Consulting Servs. Inc., 170 Wn.2d 442, 459 n.7,
243 P.3d 521 (2010).
No. 72568-8-1/6

whether substantial evidence supports the [trial court's] findings and, if so,

whether the findings support the conclusions of law."12 Substantial evidence

exists as "long as a rational trier of fact could find the necessary facts were

shown by a preponderance of the evidence."13

       "Unchallenged findings of fact are verities on appeal."14 We review de

novo conclusions of law.15

       We start with examination of the January 17, 1974 statutory warranty deed

by which the developer conveyed certain tracts to the Kuesters. That deed

contains the following legal descriptions:

       The East 690 feet of the South 330 feet of the North 1730 feet of
       Section 24, Township 30 North, Range 5 East, W.M.;
       EXCEPT 99th Avenue N. E.
       The East 690 feet of the South 330 feet of the North 1380 feet of
       Section 24, Township 30 North, Range 5 East, W.M;
       EXCEPT 99th Avenue N. E.
       The East 690 feet of the South 330 feet of the North 1050 feet of
       Section 24, Township 30 North, Range 5 East, W.M;
       EXCEPT 99th Avenue N. E.
       The South 330 feet of the North 1380 feet of the West 660 feet of
       the East 1350 feet of Section 24, Township 30 North, Range 5
       East, W.M.;
       TOGETHER WITH an easement over the South 20 feet of the
       North 1400 feet of the East 1350 feet of Section 24, Township 30
       North, Range 5 East, W.M.t16'
       Springer argues that this legal description is unambiguous. She further

claims that the express easement described in the last three lines of this legal

       12 In re Pet. ofP.K, 189 Wn. App. 317, 326, 358 P.3d 411 (2015).

       13 In re the Welfare of A.W., 182 Wn.2d 689, 711, 344 P.3d 1186 (2015).

       15 State v. Jones. 186 Wn. App. 786, 789, 347 P.3d 483 (2015).

       16 Trial Exhibit 5.
No. 72568-8-1/7

description applies to Tracts C and D, which are described earlier in this deed.

While we agree that the legal description is unambiguous, we disagree with this

argument.

       As the trial court indicated in its oral decision, there can be no serious

dispute that the legal descriptions in the deed describe four tracts of real

property, not one. At oral argument of this case on appeal, counsel for Springer

properly conceded that this is correct.

       Thus, the question is whether the express easement applies only to the

last tract of the four tracts described in the deed or to all of these tracts. To the

extent it applies to all tracts, then Tracts C and D, now owned by Springer,

benefit from that express easement. Otherwise, they do not benefit.

       As the trial court correctly decided in construing the deed, the description

for each tract is contained in a paragraph ending with a period. Semicolons are

used to separate the two-part description within each paragraph.

       For example, the first two lines of the legal description of the first tract

ends with a semicolon. The last line ("EXCEPT 99th Avenue N.E.") ends with a

period. This pattern is replicated for the next two tracts described in the deed.

       The legal description for the fourth tract is different. That description

states that it conveys the following property:

       The South 330 feet of the North 1380 feet of the West 660 feet of
       the East 1350 feet of Section 24, Township 30 North, Range 5
       East, W.M.;

       TOGETHER WITH an easement over the South 20 feet of the
       North 1400 feet of the East 1350 feet of Section 24, Township 30
       North, Range 5 East, W.MJ17]

       17 Id

                                                 7
No. 72568-8-1/8

      The first three lines of this description address fee title to the property.

The "Together With" language that follows addresses the express easement.

Notably, a semicolon separates the description of the fee title conveyed from the

express easement that goes with it. And the description of the easement is

followed by a period.

      Thus, the deed unambiguously shows that the preceding three tracts do

not benefit from the easement. This supports the trial court's conclusion that the

easement applies only to the last of the four tracts described in the deed.

       Further, even ifthe deed were ambiguous, extrinsic evidence supports the

court's conclusion. The trial court used evidence extrinsic to the deed to

correlate the four tracts to the original plat map and the descriptions on that plat

map. This was proper.

       When one compares the tracts on the plat map with those in the deed, it is

clear that the developer conveyed Tracts C, D, E, and N, as shown on the plat

map. Moreover, it is also clear from this comparison that Tract Ncontains the

"Together With" language pertaining to the easement at issue in the case, and no
other tract relevant to this case does. Accordingly, the express easement is for

the benefit of Tract N and crosses Tract O, owned by the Erbecks. It is not for

the benefit of either Tract C or Tract D, both of which are now owned by

Springer.

       This interpretation makes sense. When one examines the plat map, it is

clear that both Tract C and Tract D abut 99th Avenue N.E. Tract N does not abut

this public right ofway. Thus, Tract N requires the roadway easement over Tract

                                              8
No. 72568-8-1/9

0 to obtain access to the public roadway. In contrast, neither Tract C nor Tract D

needs the roadway easement for this purpose—both tracts abut the public

roadway.

      These observations are consistent with the developer's testimony that was

also the subject of a stipulation at trial.18 This developer prepared the deed at

issue. According to the stipulation, the developer testified that the 1974 sale to

the Kuesters "was not intended to include, or grant to [them] any easement rights

over and across the Erbecks' parcel (Parcel O), for the benefit of either of

Springer['s] parcels (Parcels C or D), for the reason that said parcels had direct

access to 99th Avenue Northeast."19 This testimony demonstrates that the

grantor intentionally granted an express easement for Tract N only.
       To summarize, the punctuation pattern in the deed, the correlation of the

legal descriptions in the deed with those in the plat map, and the testimony of the
developer as to his intent show that there is only one reasonable interpretation of
the deed. They show the developer's intent to limit the express easement to

benefit Tract N. It was not intended for the benefit of Tracts C or D.

       Springer argues that the punctuation in the deed "simply creates a list of
items and should be interpreted as such."20 She cites authorities to support the

proposition that doing so in this case permits the conclusion that the easement in

       18 Trial Exhibit!

       19 jd

       20 Appellant Susan Springer's Reply Brief at 2.
No. 72568-8-1/10

the deed applies to all of the tracts described, not just Tract N. This argument is

wholly unpersuasive.

       Here, the grouping together of the legal descriptions of the four tracts

conveyed is not a mere list. As explained above, there is no dispute that the

legal descriptions in the deed describe four tracts of real property, not one. The

punctuation pattern in the deed also demonstrates that the legal descriptions are

purposefully grouped together to expressly grant an easement for Tract N only.

Additionally, even ifthe deed were ambiguous, evidence extrinsic to the deed

shows that the grouping of the legal descriptions is not a list. We have

uncontroverted evidence of the grantor's intent to convey an easement limited to

Tract N. We also have uncontroverted evidence from the plat map that is

consistent with the grantor's intent. In short, the rule that Springer attempts to

apply to this case does not apply at all.

       Springer also argues that the trial court improperly used extrinsic evidence

to interpret the deed because it unambiguously conveyed a 20-acre parcel with

an easement for the entire parcel.21 Not so.

       Based on the punctuation pattern in the deed, the only reasonable

interpretation of the deed is that it conveys four separate parcels and expressly

grants an easement only for Tract N. Thus, there is no reasonable argument that
the deed unambiguously grants an easement for a 20-acre entire parcel.

       Lastly, Springer argues that she has an express easement over the

Erbecks' roadway because the Kuesters included an express easement in the

       21 Susan Springer's Opening Brief at 11.
                                              10
No. 72568-8-1/11

deed when they conveyed Tract C to her.22 This claim is also without support in

the record.

       The Kuesters included an express easement over the Erbecks' roadway in

the March 17, 1988 deed granting Tract C to Springer.23 But they had no

express easement to grant, as discussed earlier, and a "grantor of property

can[not] convey . . . greater title or interest than the grantor has in the property."24

Accordingly, Springer may not rely on this deed to establish her rights.

                             PRESCRIPTIVE EASEMENTS

       Springer argues that the court erroneously determined that she did not

have prescriptive easement rights for Tract C, and improperly determined the

scope of her prescriptive easement rights for Tract D. We again disagree.

       Easements provide the right to use another's real property without owning

it.25 Easement rights can be obtained by adverse use, also known as

prescription.26 "'Prescriptive rights ... are not favored in the law, since they

necessarily work corresponding losses or forfeitures of the rights of other

persons.'"27 A person claiming a prescriptive easement bears the burden of

proof and must prove the following elements:

       22 id at 14.

       23 Trial Exhibit 6; Trial Exhibit 7.

       24 Firth v. Hefu Lu, 146 Wn.2d 608, 615, 49 P.3d 117 (2002).

       25 Kielv v. Graves. 173 Wn.2d 926, 936, 271 P.3d 226 (2012).

       26 See 17 William B. Stoebuck & John W. Weaver, Washington Practice:
Real Estate: Property Law § 2.7, at 99 (2d ed. 2015).

      27 Gamboa v. Clark, 183 Wn.2d 38, 43, 348 P.3d 1214 (2015) (quoting Nw. Cities
Gas Co. v. W. Fuel Co., 13 Wn.2d 75, 83, 123 P.2d 771 (1942)).

                                               11
No. 72568-8-1/12

       (1) use adverse to the right of the servient owner, (2) open,
       notorious, continuous, and uninterrupted use for the entire
       prescriptive period, and (3) knowledge of such use by the owner at
       a time when he was able to assert and enforce his rights.[28)

"The period required to establish a prescriptive easement is 10 years."29 Adverse

use means that the claimant used a landowner's land without the landowner's

permission.30

       To satisfy the continuous and uninterrupted use element, the claimant

need not "prove constant use" of the property.31 "'[T]he claimant need only

demonstrate use of the same character that a true owner might make of the

property considering its nature and location.'"32 Additionally, "[t]he extent of the

rights acquired through prescriptive use is determined by the uses through which

the right originated^ [and that] [t]he easement acquired extends only to the uses

necessary to accomplish the purpose for which the easement was claimed."33

       Whether the prescriptive easement elements have been established is "a

mixed question of law and fact."34 Factual findings must be supported by

       28 Dunbar v. Heinrich. 95 Wn.2d 20, 22, 622 P.2d 812 (1980).

       29 [d

       30 Gamboa, 183 Wn.2d at 44.

       31
            Lee v. Lozier, 88 Wn. App. 176, 185, 945 P.2d 214 (1997).

       32 Id (quoting Double L. Properties. Inc. v. Crandall, 51 Wn. App. 149, 158, 751
P.2d 1208(1988)).

       33 Id at 187.

       34 Gamboa, 183 Wn.2d at 44.

                                                12
No. 72568-8-1/13

substantial evidence.35 This court reviews de novo the trial court's "'conclusion

that the facts . . . constitute a prescriptive easement.'"36

                                        Tract C

       Springer argues that the trial court used the incorrect legal standard when

it determined that her use was not continuous and not interrupted. Specifically,

she argues that the court improperly focused on her use of the roadway to graze

cattle, and failed to evaluate her use of the roadway for agricultural purposes.

We disagree.

       During trial, Springer testified that she and her husband purchased Tracts

C and D in 1988, and grazed cattle on both properties beginning in 1990. Thus,

1990 would have been the beginning of any prescriptive period for grazing cattle

on Tract C.

       She further testified that she had cattle in 1991 and 1993 through 1997.

She testified that in 1999, she and her husband had an agreement with a

neighbor to share in feeding the Springers' and the neighbor's cattle. After the

dissolution of her marriage, Springer sold her cattle and entered into an

agreement with the neighbor that allowed him to board his cattle on her property.

In exchange, he did yardwork for her. From 2007 to the trial date, only the

neighbor's cattle remained on Tract C.

       In the trial court's oral decision and the findings of fact that followed, the

court decided that Springer's use of the roadway to obtain access to her property

for grazing cattle fell short of the 10 year prescriptive period required to establish

       35 Newport Yacht Basin Ass'n of Condo. Owners, 168 Wn. App. at 63.

       36 Gamboa. 183 Wn.2d at 44 (quoting Lee, 88 Wn. App. at 181).
                                               13
No. 72568-8-1/14

her claim. We agree. It was her burden to prove all elements of her prescriptive

easement claim for the full 10 year period. She did not.

       There is no testimony as to Springer's use of the roadway for cattle

grazing purposes between 1999 and 2007. Because the prescriptive period on

this use began to run in 1990, she was required to show continuous use until

2000. Springer fails to fill the gap in time after 1999. Thus, substantial evidence

supports the trial court's finding that Springer did not continuously use the

roadway for the required purpose for 10 years. This finding of fact supports the

trial court's conclusion that Springer failed to establish prescriptive easement

rights over the roadway for the benefit of Tract C.

       Moreover, her testimony for the period after 2007 fails to establish her use

of the property for cattle grazing purposes from that time to trial. This is

consistent with the trial court's oral decision.

       Springer also testified that she conducted other activities on this tract. But

her testimony concerning clearing of the property was in connection with cattle

grazing that began in 1990. She fails to establish that she continued this activity
for the prescriptive period of 10 years. The same applies to the planting of trees

and the maintenance offences on this tract.

       We note that the supreme court recently decided Gamboa v. Clark.37
While we need not rely on that case to decide this one, its teachings are

important to note.

       37183 Wn.2d 38, 348 P.3d 1214 (2015).

                                               14
No. 72568-8-1/15

      There, the original owners split a 42-acre parcel into two parcels.38 The

Gamboas and Clarks owned the two adjoining parcels, separated by a gravel

road.39 Both parties used the roadway for many years and were aware of the

other party's use.40 Neither party objected until the parties disputed ownership of

the land on which the roadway was situated.41 A land survey determined that a

small portion of the road was on the Gamboas' property and that the rest was on

the Clarks' property, until the road reached an area where the Gamboas had an

express easement over the Clarks' property.42

       The trial court determined that the Gamboas' use was adverse to the

Clarks' rights.43 The supreme court determined whether an initial permissive

presumption existed in prescriptive easement cases.44 In doing so, it resolved a

conflict between the divisions of the court of appeals.45

       The supreme court concluded that "an initial presumption of permissive

use to enclosed or developed land [exists where] there is a reasonable inference

of neighborly sufferance or acquiescence."46 The court reasoned that applying

       38 Jd   at 40.

       39 jd

       40 Id

       41 id

       42 id

       43 id   at 42.

       44 id   at 43.

       45 id   at 46.

       46 Id. at 47.

                                             15
No. 72568-8-1/16

this presumption "incentivizes landowners to allow neighbors to use their roads

for the neighbors' convenience," and that "[n]ot applying a presumption of

permissive use in these circumstances punishes a courteous neighbor by taking

away his or her property right."47 But the court determined that "a claimant may

defeat the presumption of permissive use when the facts demonstrate (1) 'the

user was adverse and hostile to the rights of the owner, or' (2) 'the owner has

indicated by some act his admission that the claimant has a right of easement.'"48

       After determining that such a presumption existed, the supreme court

stated that "[w]hat constitutes a reasonable inference of neighborly sufferance or

acquiescence is a fairly low bar" and "cited the following as an example of a

neighborly accommodation: 'persons traveling] the private road of a neighbor in

conjunction with such neighbor and other persons, nothing further appearing.'"49

       The court then determined that the evidence supported a reasonable

inference of neighborly sufferance or acquiescence, finding that the Gamboas

and Clarks were "neighbors and . . . used the road for their own purposes in

conjunction with each other without incident."50 The court also determined that

the Gamboas failed to overcome the permissive use presumption.51 Specifically,

the court stated that:

       47 [d at 48-49.

       48 id at 51-52 (quoting Nw. Cities Gas Co.. 13 Wn.2d at 87).

       49 Id at 51 (alteration in original) (internal quotation marks omitted) (quoting
Roediqerv. Cullen, 26 Wn.2d 690, 711, 175 P.2d 669 (1946)).

       50 id at 51.

       51 ]d at 52.
                                                 16
No. 72568-8-1/17

       the Gamboas cannot demonstrate either that they interfered with
       the Clarks' use of the roadway or that the Clarks indicated that the
       Gamboas had an easement over the driveway. The Gamboas'
       occasional blading of the road did not interfere with the Clarks' use
       of the road in any manner.... Indeed, the trial court found that
       both parties "used the roadway . . . without any disputes until 2008.
       Each party was aware of the other's use of the roadway, but no one
       objected to the other's use until a dispute arose in 2008."[52]

Thus, the court concluded that the Gamboas "failed to establish a prescriptive

easement."53

       Here, the trial court did not make an express finding that Springer's use of

the roadway to obtain access to Tract C was presumptively permissive. We note

that it did so for the Kuesters, the predecessors in interest to Springer, for Tract

D in unchallenged factual finding 22.54 Had the trial court made this express

finding for Springer, Gamboa might apply.

       From our review of the record, it appears arguable that had the court been

asked to make a similar finding concerning the presumptively permissive use of

the roadway to obtain access to Tract C, it could have done so. But this court

does not make factual findings. Only the trial court does so. It is sufficient for

our purposes to note that such a finding might have been made ifthe request

had been made. We need not further address the potential application of the

principles of Gamboa to this case.

       52 id

       53 id at 53.

       54 Clerk's Papers at 11.
                                             17
No. 72568-8-1/18

                                      Tract D

       Springer argues that the trial court essentially subdivided Tract D and

limited her use of the parcel. This argument mischaracterizes the trial court's

ruling. The court did not subdivide Tract D. It only limited how she could use the

easement to obtain access to each tax parcel of this tract.

       Based on the Kuesters' use of the roadway, the trial court concluded that

they had a prescriptive easement for access to the residence in which they lived

during their ownership. This use ripened to a prescriptive right prior to the March

1988 conveyance to Springer. This right was limited to the West 132 feet of

Tract D.

      The parties also stipulated that Springer obtained prescriptive easement

rights over the roadway owned by the Erbecks to obtain access to her residence

located on the West 132 feet of Tract D. The stipulation did not include any

agreement as to the East 558 feet of Tract D. Thus, the trial court concluded that

Springer obtained a residential easement to use the roadway to obtain access to

the West 132 feet of Tract D, which did not "include commercial or business

access."55

       Springer's argument that the court subdivided Tract D is unpersuasive.

Due to Springer's use of the Erbecks' roadway to graze cattle, maintain the

pasture land, and mow and bale hay, the court determined that Springer obtained

a prescriptive easement to use the roadway to obtain access to the East 558 feet

of Tract D "for pasture, grazing, and raising of cattle purposes and such other

       55 Id at 27, 29.

                                            18
No. 72568-8-1/19

customary types of uses."56 Accordingly, the court only limited how she could

use the easement.

                                   ATTORNEY FEES

        The Erbecks request attorney fees on appeal under RCW 7.28.083(3).

We conclude they are entitled to such an award, subject to compliance with RAP

18.1.

        "The general rule in Washington is that attorney fees will not be awarded

for costs of litigation unless authorized by contract, statute, or recognized ground

of equity."57 RCW 7.28.083(3) provides:

                The prevailing party in an action asserting title to real
        property by adverse possession may request the court to award
        costs and reasonable attorneys' fees. The court may award all or a
        portion of costs and reasonable attorneys' fees to the prevailing
        party if, after considering all the facts, the court determines such an
        award is equitable and just.

        The Erbecks are the prevailing parties with respect to the contest over

prescriptive rights to the roadway crossing their property. Springer does not

contend otherwise.

        RCW 7.28.083(3) uses the term "adverse possession." The present case

involves prescriptive easements. But these doctrines "are often treated as

equivalents]," and the elements required to establish adverse possession and

prescriptive easements are the same.58 Thus, we conclude that this statute

applies in this case and exercise our discretion to award the Erbecks reasonable

        56 Id at 3.

        57 Durland v. San Juan County. 182 Wn.2d 55, 76, 340 P.3d 191 (2014).

        58 Kunkel v. Fisher, 106 Wn. App. 599, 602-03, 23 P.3d 1128 (2001); accord 17
Stoebuck &Weaver, supra, § 2.7, at 99.

                                                19
No. 72568-8-1/20

attorney fees. We award attorney fees only for issues concerning prescriptive

easement rights.

      Springer argues that there is no basis to award attorney fees and that the

Erbecks failed to claim attorney fees under the above statute at trial. The plain

words of the statute make clear that an award of fees on appeal is not contingent

on any award below. Accordingly, we reject this argument.

      We affirm the judgment. We grant the Erbecks reasonable attorney fees

on appeal, subject to compliance with RAP 18.1.

                                                           ^qX,T.
WE CONCUR:

                                                                     7

                                            20