Itt Rayonier, Inc. v. Bell

112 Wash.2d 754 (1989)

Facts

ITT (P) sued Bell (D) in quiet title to property situated in Clallam County. P also sued for trespass and ejectment. D defended the action by a claim of adverse possession and counterclaimed for quiet title. D purchased a houseboat, and the property subject to this action was directly adjacent to the moorage of D's houseboat. D testified that he thought the adjacent land was owned by the State. However, there was significant evidence at trial that D did not treat the property as would an owner as others were allowed to freely use it as well. The trial court gave partial summary judgment to, and the Court of Appeals affirmed but also held that D failed to establish a good faith claim to the property. This appeal resulted.