Alabama Easement and Right of Way (Nonexclusive, Permanent Use of Granter's Private Road) An easement and right of way, in the context of Alabama law, refers to a legal agreement that grants a party the nonexclusive and permanent use of another person's private road. This agreement allows the beneficiary, also known as the grantee, to access their property by crossing the granter's land. The Alabama law recognizes two primary types of easement and right of way: affirmative easement and negative easement. 1. Affirmative Easement: It is an agreement that enables the grantee to use the granter's private road for a specific purpose, usually related to accessing their property. For example, if a homeowner's property is landlocked and there is no direct access to a public road, they may seek an affirmative easement to cross their neighbor's private road to reach the public road. 2. Negative Easement: This type of easement and right of way prohibits the granter or any future owner of the granter's land from engaging in certain actions that would impede the grantee's use of the private road. Negative easements are often sought to prevent the granter from erecting any structures, trees, or other obstacles that could interfere with the grantee's use of the road. In both cases, the easement and right of way can be established through a written agreement, known as an easement deed or easement agreement, which details the rights and responsibilities of both parties involved. When establishing an easement and right of way in Alabama, it is crucial to consult with an attorney experienced in real estate law to ensure all legal requirements are fulfilled. This ensures that the easement is enforceable, clear, and does not infringe upon either party's rights. Overall, an Alabama easement and right of way (nonexclusive, permanent use of granter's private road) is a legal arrangement that allows one party to use another person's private road for access to their property. The specific type of easement, whether affirmative or negative, determines the purpose and limitations associated with this right of way.