property lines in louisville ky Jefferson county? (fence, legal)

[coerther]

I had a chain length fence put up in back yard in 1987 because we got a dog. However because of large tree roots around the border, we took the easy and quick route and threw it up one to two feet within our border line away from tree roots. The neighbors that moved in and planted stuff there moved in about 14 years ago.

I want to put up a privacy fence, but if I am going to pay for all the expense of it, I would like to engulf all of our property. I am wondering about my legal rights and the proper protocol for this kind of situation. Besides getting my land re-surveyed; what are ways I kind find my rights before approaching my neighbor? Any help and suggestions would be appreciated.

[tomocox]

As I understand the law, and I am not a lawyer, you should go ahead and have the survey done first. Tell your neighbors by asking them if they have a preferred surveyor. No need to get into a squabble until the lines have been established. There might not be an issue at all. If the neighbors had a part then they are going be much more friendly if you need to ask them to move plantings, etc.

[johnsonkk]

Hire a surveyor to re-survey the property and see where your (updated) lines are. It's common practice to put a fence up 6 inches behind your property line; of which your chain link fence may already be in the right location. If you have an updated survey, it's like a photograph and doesn't have any authority, it merely shows one surveyor's opinion on where the property lines should be/are.