r where he is---it will cost a lot of money. No one is going to be willing to tear up their driveway they've been using for years and just let the neighbor have it. That means you're going to have to pay a lawyer to look into the case, file a complaint, hire surveyors, file dispositive motions. Things get even more expensive if there are any wrinkles at all in the case, because you'd then have to conduct discovery and go to trial, plus you'd likely deal with post judgment motions (although it wouldn't be likely to go up on appeal).

I don't think it is an exaggeration at all to say that it would cost at least $35k, but could be much, much more.

If he doesn't get it resolved in the court, he's just compounding his future problems when he tries to sell the house, or when the neighbor sells their house.

I think that any competent lawyer would advise him to avoid the problems that will inevitably come with going through with the purchase.