Prescriptive easement is a legal concept that grants certain rights to individuals who have used another person's property for a certain period of time without obtaining permission or a formal agreement. This "easement" essentially gives the user the right to continue using the property, even if they do not own it. Prescriptive easements are also known as "adverse possession" or "easement by prescription." To simplify the understanding of prescriptive easement for dummies, it is essential to break down the concept into digestible parts. Firstly, a prescriptive easement arises when someone openly uses and occupies another person's property continuously and without interruption for a specified number of years. The usage must be adverse, meaning without the permission of the property owner. The duration required for adverse possession varies by jurisdiction but is typically around 10 to 20 years. There are two main types of prescriptive easements for dummies that are commonly recognized: 1. Easement by open and notorious use: This type of prescriptive easement occurs when an individual uses another person's property openly and in a way that is clearly visible or noticeable. This could include activities like regularly crossing a property to access a nearby road or occupying a specific area to store personal belongings. 2. Easement by continuous and uninterrupted use: This type of prescriptive easement refers to the continuous and uninterrupted use of another person's property without the owner's permission. To establish this type of easement, the user must prove that they have used the property consistently for the required period, without any significant breaks or interruptions. Prescriptive easements are established through a legal process, which typically involves the user making a claim in court. The user must provide evidence of the open, notorious, continuous, and uninterrupted use of the property, as well as demonstrating that the usage was adverse to the owner's rights. If successful, the court may grant the prescriptive easement, allowing the user to continue using the property as they have been doing. In summary, prescriptive easements are legal rights that individuals can acquire when they openly, notoriously, continuously, and adversely use another person's property for a specified period of time. These easements can be categorized into two types: easement by open and notorious use and easement by continuous and uninterrupted use. Understanding the concept of prescriptive easement is crucial for anyone interested in property law or dealing with potential property disputes.