Legal Question in Real Estate Law in Washington

If there is no evil intent on your neighbor's part, you will likely be able to solve this problem with some polite letters/emails to remind them. Politely recount the full history of the lock changes in your first letter. Actually, email would probably be a better, quicker and more efficient route. Remain polite and civil. Do not accuse. State only facts. Don't send your first draft. Reread it and remove any emotionally charged words. Write as if a judge will be reading it and you want him to conclude you have been eminently fair, reasonable and appropriate. Believe me, if things go south, sooner or later a judge will read your letters.

Depending on how much heat has been generated by this point, an attorney's advice and letter may be useful, perhaps a letter for your signature.

The value of letters or email is that you are establishing a history for the purpose of any litigation.

Finally, remember what a judge told my client and the other party in a boundary dispute: "This case is worth as much as you want to pay for it." I'll never forget the other attorney's humorous comment to me as we talked afterward. Rubbing his cupped hands together vigorously, he said, "Just polish that lump of coal."