Imagine waking up to the sound of splintering wood, only to look outside and see your neighbor swinging a sledgehammer at your backyard fence. It’s a jarring scene that raises serious questions: Who owns the fence? Was it built on the right property line? And most importantly—who’s on the hook for the damage?

This bizarre incident has sparked a lot of debate online and in the neighborhood. Attorney Ugo Lord, a well-known legal expert in property and civil disputes, offers some clarity on the matter.

According to Lord, liability depends largely on one key issue: where exactly the fence was built. If it was entirely on the property of the person who owns it, then the neighbor who tore it down could be facing legal consequences, including paying for the damage—and possibly even criminal charges for destruction of property.

However, if the fence crossed over the property line onto the neighbor’s land—even by just a few inches—things get more complicated. In that case, the neighbor might have had some legal grounds to contest the fence’s placement, but that still doesn’t give them the right to tear it down themselves. As Lord points out, “Taking matters into your own hands rarely holds up in court.”

He stresses the importance of having accurate property surveys and written agreements between neighbors when installing fences or other shared structures. Every city and county has its own zoning laws and ordinances that come into play, so knowing your local regulations is key.

Ultimately, while smashing a fence may feel like a quick fix to a long-standing feud, it’s almost never the right solution. Legal action—or at least a civil conversation—should be the first step. As Attorney Lord reminds us, disputes like this are best handled through the proper legal channels, not with a sledgehammer.