By Anthony I. Shin, Esq. | Civil Litigation | Shin Law Office
Right-of-Way and Mineral Rights Disputes | Dickenson County Property Lawyer
Out here in Dickenson County, we know land means more than just property—it’s legacy, livelihood, and family history.
However, when old deeds, right-of-way agreements, or underground mineral leases are brought into question, things can become complicated quickly.
I’ve worked with clients across Southwest Virginia who never expected a legal fight—until someone laid claim to the road running through their pasture or started drilling on their land without warning.
That’s when the fine print from decades ago suddenly becomes your problem today.
The Trouble with “Right-of-Way”
Right-of-way disputes are common in Dickenson County, especially with older rural properties.
Maybe you’ve got a gravel road running across your land that your neighbor’s been using for years.
But who owns it? Is it public? Is it an easement? Can you block it?
Sometimes these agreements were verbal or buried in old deeds. Other times, they were never clearly written down at all.
I’ve seen clients lose access to their own property—or get sued for closing off a road they believed they owned.
That’s why it’s critical to figure out precisely what the law says before anyone starts putting up gates or fences.
When Mineral Rights Compete with Surface Rights
The bigger issue for many landowners? Mineral rights.
Dickenson County has a long history of coal, gas, and other resource extraction.
And in a lot of cases, those mineral rights were severed from the surface rights generations ago.
That means someone could legally own what’s beneath your land—and might have the right to access it.
I’ve helped families deal with situations where a company shows up, claiming they’ve a lease to drill or mine, and the landowner had no prior knowledge.
These cases can become tense quickly.
You want to protect your home, your farm, and your peace of mind.
But they may be holding a legally valid lease, even if it feels like a violation.
You Don’t Have to Guess Where You Stand
If you’re facing a dispute about right-of-way access, a neighbor’s claim on a shared road, or a mineral company’s demand to access your land, don’t try to go it alone.
These aren’t just neighborly disagreements—they’re legal matters with real consequences.
My job is to dig into the paperwork, analyze the deeds, research the claims, and give you a straight answer.
Whether you’re trying to protect your land or assert your own rights, you deserve to understand where you stand—and how to defend it.
Let’s Talk Before It Escalates
Don’t wait until the bulldozers show up or tempers flare. If you’ve got questions about mineral rights, right-of-way issues, or access disputes in Dickenson County, I’m here to help.
This is your land, and you have every right to protect it.
Call Shin Law Office at 571-445-6565 or book online today!
— Anthony I. Shin, Esq.
Principal Attorney | Shin Law Office
