Rise v. Steckel

Plaintiff brought this proceeding for a declaratory judgment. He seeks a declaration .that he has a life estate in a residence occupied by defendant and a judgment for the fair rental value of the residence during ten years of defendant’s occupancy. Defendant’s answer asserted the affirmative defense of laches and a counterclaim of adverse possession. The trial court decided that plaintiffs real property claims were barred by laches. We reverse.

The residence at issue is located at 8923 S.E. Reedway Street, in Portland. The residence and an adjoining lot were owned by Opal Brown until her…