easements

[John A Scully]

My father-in-law and I share a common driveway to our houses on adjacent properties. There has never been a written easement agreement. He is now selling his house and the prospective buyers want me to sign an easement agreement.
I have never met the prospective buyers and am leary about entering into a legal agreement with someone I do not know. My concerns are about liability eg. if I clear the driveway of snow and they fall can I be sued?; about disagreements on repairs/maintenance; what if they subdivide their property, does the easement include the additional owners?
I wonder what other risks are involved in an easement aggreement.
My father-in-law cannot sell the house without an easement so I am getting pressure to sign quickly.
I hope you have some answers.
Thanks
John A. Scully

 

[HomeGuru]

My answer is to have him hire an attorney to draft an easement document that addresses all legal concerns such as repair/maintenance, restricted use, liability, insurance, etc.