Which action ends an easement via merger of dominant and servient lands?

• A. Destruction
• B. Estoppel
• C. Merger
• D. Necessity ends

Answer: (C)

When dominant and servient lands come under common ownership, an easement is terminated by merger. The easement exists to allow use across two separate parcels; once the same person owns both parcels, there’s no longer a need for a burdened-right across a different property, so the easement ends automatically. This unity of title makes the burden and benefit one and the same property, removing the legal basis for the easement. Destruction, estoppel, or a cessation of necessity can terminate an easement for other reasons, but the specific action that ends it through merger is the consolidation of ownership.