Hollander v. World Mission Church of Washington, D.C.

SENIOR JUSTICE WHITING delivered the opinion of the Court.

This adverse possession case involves the effect of a mistake as to the location of an actual boundary line upon the intent to hold disputed land adversely.

The World Mission Church of Washington, D.C., (the church) filed a motion for judgment seeking to recover possession of a strip of its land in Fairfax County. The church claimed that Carolyn Hollander, an adjoining property owner, “unlawfully with[held]” the land. Hollander responded by claiming title by adverse possession.

At a trial before the court, the evidence indicated that the…